Utah Mammoth vs Washington Capitals Betting Picks

Washington's defense has been slipping recently. The Capitals have permitted three or more goals in eight of their last 11 games. They have given up an average of 3.3 goals a game during their past three games against Utah. The Mammoth have permitted at least three goals in nine of their last 10 games. Not including a 4-0 shutout win against the Golden Knights, the Mammoth are allowing an average of 3.4 goals per game during their last nine games. Utah has to watch out for a still dangerous Alex Ovechkin, who leads the Capitals with 50 points and 24 goals. The Mammoth have surrendered 12 goals to the Capitals in the past three meetings. The Capitals should come out fired up offensively after getting blanked, 3-0, on the road by the Blues in their last game two days ago. It was the first time since Dec. 16 that the Capitals were shut out. They responded with four goals against the Maple Leafs in the following game. Take the OVER. 

The Mammoth begin a five-game, eight-day road trip with this matchup. This is their first away game since Jan. 29. The Mammoth are off a 4-0 home loss to the Blackhawks as a $3.50 favorite this past Sunday. They are drawing Washington at a bad time. The Capitals have started playing their brand of hockey, dictating pace and style. The result has been six wins in their last eight games. Washington last played this past Saturday and lost, 6-2, on the road to Montreal. The Capitals, though, played much better than that final score indicated. Montreal scored two empty-net goals. Superstar captain Alex Ovechkin snapped a seven-game goal drought by scoring Washington's two goals. The Capitals are now back home, where they have won five straight, beating the Golden Knights, Flyers, Predators, Islanders, and Hurricanes during this stretch. Washington has allowed two or fewer goals in four of its last six games. Lay 1.5 goals on the puckline with the Capitals.

Washington has won nine of 12 and holds the best record in the Eastern Conference as Alex Ovechkin closes in on Wayne Gretzky's career goal mark. Ovechkin scored in a fourth straight game as the Capitals beat Philadelphia 4-3 on Thursday. Logan Thompson is confirmed to start and he is a sensational 24-2-4 with a 2.25 goals-against average and a .923 save percentage for the Caps, who have won six straight playing with two days rest. Washington has won five of six against teams with losing records and the Utah Hockey Club has lost four in a row playing on no rest. Utah comes off a 7-3 loss at Carolina on Saturday, its sixth loss in eight games. Washington has won 17 of 26 home games this season. Utah has lost five of six in the third game of a 3-in-4 days situation. Take the Capitals.

Washington ends a three-game road trip a long way from home. It's also their fifth road game over the last eight contests and the second of a back-to-back after playing at Vegas yesterday. Goalie Logan Thompson (.913 save percentage) played yesterday, and they may go with backup Charlie Lindgren, who has a .897 save percentage. While Washington plays its third road game in four nights, Utah is home working on two days of rest. They're 4-3-1 at the Delta Center. Washington's top-ranked offense is the third straight top-three scoring team that Utah will face during its homestand. On Wednesday, Utah held Carolina to just one goal as Karel Vejmelka had 49 saves, a 4-1 win as a +170 underdog. Carolina ranks third, averaging 4.21 goals per game. On Friday, Vegas needed an empty-netter to reach the four-goal mark. Utah is 4-2-0 versus Eastern Conference opponents. Play Utah.