Hi there, it’s Rodd from Tony’s Picks, coming at you with Washington Capitals vs. Utah Hockey Club here on Monday, November 18th, 2024.
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Tough Spot for Washington
Alright, let’s get into this action between the Washington Capitals and the Utah Hockey Club here on Monday. You look at the Caps—they’re in a back-to-back spot here, having to play Vegas on Sunday night and now having to come into Utah and try to get themselves a win. Tough spot, really, for this Washington team. It’s always that spot where teams coming out of Vegas on a back-to-back night face challenges. Always a tough spot, usually.
Should be Lindgren getting the start here for the Capitals in this one. Should be Ingram getting the start for Utah. You look at this price and think, coin-flip price. That’s because it’s a back-to-back spot for Washington. So, for me, I’m looking to an under. I think you get a lower-scoring one.
Why the Under is the Play
What have we seen from Washington this season versus Western Conference opponents? Defense. They’ve only allowed 1.8 goals per game and are only allowing about 25 shots per game. What about Utah? Against Eastern Conference teams, they’re only allowing about three goals per game. In six matchups versus the Eastern Conference, Utah has actually come away with four wins, so they’re definitely playing some pretty good hockey. But they’re not scoring a whole lot of goals—2.8 per game versus the Eastern Conference, with about 26 shots on goal. Expect a lower-scoring one here in this matchup.
When Utah gets into a battle with good passing teams—teams that move the puck around—they end up with low-scoring games. This season, they’re 8-1 to the under. The Utah Hockey Club has consistently played in these low-scoring games. For me, there’s only one way to go here—take the under. It’s going to be a low-scoring one.
Kickstart the Week with a Winner
I lean towards Utah to get the win and take advantage of this Washington team on the back-to-back. But the under 6 is the play. First to two, if we even get to three, takes the win.
Washington vs. Utah on Monday—have yourself a good one, everybody. Kickstart the week with a winner. Catch you on the next one!