NHL Odds: Resurgent Caps Visit Red Wings on NBCSN

The Washington Capitals (41-24-7) are in first place in the Metropolitan Division. They’ve also made a healthy profit of 6.73 units against the puck line at 41-31 ATS. But don’t be fooled – the Capitals have not played anywhere close to the same level they did last season. At least they won’t have to worry too much about Thursday’s opponents; Washington will visit the Detroit Red Wings (26-35-11), who haven’t won a game since February 25. NBCSN has the coverage beginning at 7:30 PM ET.


Most of Washington’s profits this year have been made in the last two weeks, with Philipp Grubauer (.922 save percentage) taking over between the pipes for No. 1 netminder Braden Holtby (.906 SV%). Grubauer has played five of the last six games for the Capitals and is 7-2 in his last nine starts overall. Whether he’ll continue to carry the load for Washington remains to be seen.
The Red Wings, meanwhile, are in the tank after shipping LW Tomas Tatar to the Vegas Golden Knights at the trade deadline. Starting goalie Jimmy Howard (.909 SV%) has also played worse than back-up Petr Mrazek (.910 SV%), who was dealt to the Philadelphia Flyers on February 19.

NHL Odds: Different Goalies, Different Results for Caps, Wings

The Washington Capitals (41-24-7) have picked up the pace since handing the reins to No. 2 netminder Philipp Grubauer. The Detroit Red Wings (26-35-11) haven’t had the same success since turning to former starter Jimmy Howard. They’ll meet this Thursday at 7:30 PM ET on NBCSN.

Washington could choose to start Braden Holtby on Thursday instead of Grubauer, but whoever’s between the pipes, they’ll get to play a Detroit team that hasn’t won in nearly a month. The Red Wings are playing out the string after unloading several players ahead of the NHL trade deadline on February 26.