Jonathan Drouin should find the scoresheet Wednesday night with the help from his linemates against a Caps defense starting to slip
The Capitals started off the season hot with a 14-8-2 record going into mid-December but have since fallen back to earth with a 5-8-2 record in their last 15 games including losses in five of their last six road games. They now travel to Colorado to take on an Avalanche team that has had its faults as of late with two wins in their last four games but did win seven of their prior eight games. They have been dominated at the Ball Arena with nine wins in their last ten home games but do have a mixed history versus the Caps with the two having split their last six matchups.
It should be a close game and one of the more surprisingly exciting matchups, where the Capitals could possibly see a resurgence to their early season success or the Avalanche will continue to roll. These two are primed to produce a great game for viewers and if you plan to watch this game and want some added incentive, here is our best bet for tonight’s matchup that should help you get a win.
All betting lines are from Bet365 and are subject to change. Please gamble responsibly.
Pick: Jonathan Drouin over 0.5 points (-150)
The Avs are hard to call when listed as the favourite as they have a deadeven 20-20 record on the season when favoured on the puck line. The Caps also aren’t as impressive when listed as an underdog with a record of 16-15 on the season. Both sides don’t seem to really have an edge on the puck line so we can look to the Avs offense that ranks first in the league at home with 4.22 goals per game average that couples well with the Capitals mediocre 3.19 goals against per road game average that should help them get on the board at least three times.
The team totals are way too high for the Avalanche at home as everyone knows how dominant they can be in their own barn, so we look to Nathan MacKinnon’s high school friend, Jonathan Drouin. Since Valeri Nichushkin was taken out of the lineup due to personal reasons, Drouin has stepped into his top line role on MacKinnon’s wing with ease and the two have exuded the same chemistry they had when playing on the Halifax Mooseheads 11 years ago.
Drouin has also had a comeback season with a point per game in his last ten games along with ten goals and 26 points in 45 games this season and is on pace for his best season yet. The red hot play of MacKinnon and Rantanen have propelled Drouin’s game and Wednesday night should be no different as he should find the scoresheet at least once.