NHL Odds: Pens-Caps in Another Heated Battle

The Pittsburgh Penguins have won five Stanley Cups. Each time, they eliminated the Washington Capitals along the way. They’re at it again in the Second Round of the 2018 NHL playoffs. Pittsburgh split the first two games in DC, and they’ll host Game 4 this Thursday at 7 PM ET on NBCSN. Game odds are pending at press time, but the Penguins are –135 favourites to win the series, and sixth-favorites at +600 to win their third straight Cup, while the Capitals are +115 to win the series, and seventh out of the eight remaining teams at +750.


After blowing a two-goal lead in the third period of the series opener, Washington came back to take Game 2 on Sunday, winning 4-1 as –145 home favourites. Braden Holtby made 32 saves for the Caps in one of his better performances since re-gaining the starting job from Philipp Grubauer two weeks ago.
The Penguins didn’t have leading scorer Evgeni Malkin (42 goals, 56 assists) in either of the first two games, due to an undisclosed leg injury. Malkin is considered possible for Game 3 after taking in a full practice on Monday. Carl Hagelin (face) and Brian Dumoulin (concussion) are listed as day-to-day. All three will be game-time decisions.

NHL Odds: Caps-Pens in Familiar Playoff Pairing

As usual for the Pittsburgh Penguins, the road to the Stanley Cup goes through the Washington Capitals. These rivals meet once again in the Second Round of the playoffs, with the series tied 1-1; Game 4 is Thursday night (7 PM ET, NBCSN) at PPG Paints Arena.


The Capitals earned home-ice advantage after winning the Metropolitan Division by five points over Pittsburgh, but at press time, the Penguins are +550 to win their third Cup in a row, ahead of Washington at +750. Evgeni Malkin (leg) could be a game-time decision for Pittsburgh after missing the first two contests.