[8:30 PM] Capitals @ Blackhawks

Who will WIN this matchup?

Washington Capitals (8-3-1)

@ Chicago Blackhawks (10-3-1)

 

Starting Goalies:

Braden Holtby (WSH): Unconfirmed

Corey Crawford (CHI): Confirmed

 

Current odds:

Washington Capitals: (+109)

Chicago Blackhawks: (-120)

 

• Calder Trophy winner Artemi Panarin completed the Gordie Howe hat trick by scoring 25 seconds into the extra session to up his total to 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in his last nine games for the Blackhawks, who are 8-0-1 in that stretch.

• Washington saw its five-game winning streak end with a thud in a 3-0 setback versus San Jose on Tuesday, but has given Chicago fits in recent history by winning four of the last five meetings and seven of 10. Three-time Hart Trophy winner Alex Ovechkin has led the charge, collecting 12 points (eight goals, four assists) in his last 12 encounters with the Blackhawks.

• Washington has boasted a top-five power play in each of the last four seasons, but a disastrous 1-for-15 clip in November has dropped the club’s efficiency to a paltry 13.2 percent (24th-ranked).

• Corey Crawford has yielded just six goals during his last six starts heading into the tilt with Washington, against which he is just 3-3-1 with a 3.29 goals-against average and an .891 save percentage.

• Capitals F T.J. Oshie’s 26 points (six goals, 20 assists) against the Blackhawks are his most against any team in the league.

 

StreakSmarts Pick: Chicago Blackhawks

Confidence: 5/10

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