LAS VEGAS — It comes down to two.
Four teams are down to three periods of hockey, barring overtime, before enjoying a two-week break. Granted, a good number of players from the NHL will be busy this coming week at the 4 Nations Faceoff, but a short vacation is coming.
Nevertheless, with two games on the card today, there are no days off at the sports books, and if there’s is action – there is action to be had.
Let’s set the table for Super Bowl Sunday, as this early puck drop can help you put a little extra in your pocket for those prop bets in the big game.
The Utah Hockey Club is in Washington D.C. to face the Capitals and there are a couple of interesting storylines to look at and plenty of value to be had with at least one play from this game.
Action on the ice? No days off at the books.
Let’s do a deep dive into this one:
WHY UTAH: The Utah Hockey Club have nothing to lose at this point and isn’t the team feeling the pressure in this game. It’s clear Utah isn’t the best team today, but keep in mind this franchise was once in Arizona, and when it was the Coyotes, they had won three of four against the Capitals. Those carryover players remember how to beat the Caps. And the road team has won five of the last six meetings in this series, including the first meeting this season. Fear not Utah fans, there is hope.
WHY WASHINGTON: I’m relating this to the NHL standings, where the Capitals are sitting second (79) in the league, two points shy of the Winnipeg Jets (81). That may not seem relevant to some, but the players have pride and will want to say they held a share of the league lead at the break. Washington defeated Utah 6-2 in the first meeting between the teams on Nov. 18 in Salt Lake City, so it’ll know how to perform against this beleaguered bunch today.
All betting lines are from Bet365 and are subject to change. Hockey is a difficult sport to predict so please gamble responsibly.
THE PICK: CAPITALS -1.5 goals, +120 — As Washington prepares for its final game before the 4 Nations Face-Off pause, keep in mind the Caps enter this contest on a 14-game home point streak (10-0-4). Not an easy place to play, especially when you’re talking about a Utah team that will be playing its third road game since Thursday, including last night’s 7-3 loss in Carolina. Washington’s plus-57 goal differential ranked second in the NHL, so the puck line against a weary Utah squad seems a reasonable ask.
(Season Record: 15-25-1, Net: -1220$, based on 100$ units)
