December 20th 2013 Expert NHL Picks
Washington Capitals @ Carolina Hurricanes : OVER 5.5 Goals 2.15
*Risk: 2 Units | Win: 2.30 units (Member’s Only Pick)*
The Washington Capitals have one of the best offenses in the League (7th overall) that scores 2.91 goals per game, however they also have one of the worst defenses in the League that allows the same amount of goals that their offense can score; 2.91 goals against per game which is 24th overall. The Capitals have had 3 of their last 5 games go over the total, with the two games that didn’t go over ending in exactly 5 goals. The Capitals offense has been picking up as of late, scoring 3.20 goals per game over their last 10 games which is an improvement for them. The downside for the Capitals is that they allowed 3.30 goals against per game over that same 10 game span, and the fact that the Capitals allow the 2nd most shots against them per game with 35.1 shots against. The only team allowing more shots is the Maple Leafs (35.8 SA/G). The Carolina Hurricanes offense has also been surging as of late, scoring 3.00 goals per game over their last 10 games, which is an improvement as they are scoring only 2.29 goals per game (25th) overall. The Hurricanes have allowed 2.70 goals against per game over their last 10 games. The Capitals will likely turn to Braden Hotlby in goal tonight. Braden has gone 13-10-1 this season and has a 2.92 GAA (35th) and a .917 SV% (19th). Cam Ward is probable for the Hurricanes and has gone 5-5-5 this season, with a 3.04 GAA (39th) and a .901 SV% (37th). Both of these teams have been surging on the offense as of late, while not playing very well defensively, which includes two probable goaltenders who aren’t the greatest in the League by any means. The over at this price provides exceptional value and we will take it for the usual 2 units tonight.
