There are only four games in NHL betting on Friday night, three of which feature non-playoff teams. Among those is the conference battle between the Washington Capitals and Arizona Coyotes, with the Caps wrapping up their five-game road trip.
Neither team plays with any defensive awareness, with both projected starting goaltenders toting below-average metrics. That could lead to a high-scoring affair at the Gila River Arena.
Capitals vs. Coyotes Odds
Moneyline: Capitals -400 | Coyotes +310
Spread: Capitals -2.5 (+110) | Coyotes +2.5 (-135)
Total: 6.5 Over +105 | Under -115
Capitals vs. Coyotes Analysis
The Coyotes have been one of the worst teams in the league this season, accumulating the fewest points in the league.
Defense has been absent from most of their games, with the Yotes allowing the fifth-most scoring chances and second-most high-danger opportunities. Somehow, their metrics have been worse over their recent sample, with the Coyotes giving up an average of 29.4 scoring and 13 high-danger opportunities over their past five games, above their season-long means of 24.8 and 10.6.
Without question, the Desert Dogs are leaving their net minders high and dry, but primary goalie Karel Vejmelka hasn’t offered much resistance between the pipes. The rookie tendy is leading the league in losses, posting an 89.9% save percentage with -14.2 goals saved above average.
You wouldn’t know it by looking at Ilya Samsonov’s 23-10-5 record, but the Caps goalie hasn’t been much better this season. Samsonov’s save percentage is less than Vejmelka’s, currently getting by with an 89.7% mark. Similarly, the Russian goalie has -11.5 goals saved above average.
Of course, the Capitals haven’t been offered much defensive support over their past few games, allowing ten or more high-danger chances in five of their pasts eight. That’s having a profound impact on totals, with Washington going over in all but three of those contests, with an average of 7.5 goals per game.
We’re not expecting either team to offer much resistance, with goals flowing naturally throughout. That should lead to a high-scoring game, which is even more appealing with just a bit of squeeze on the juice on the over.
Capitals vs. Coyotes Predictions
The Pick: Over 6.5 -105
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