Washington Capitals (+225) vs Florida Panthers (-290)
PICK: Florida ML when at home, Washington will not be able to win at home so I see a sweep in the first round for the Panthers.
Washington didn’t try to get any younger during the trade deadline and I think that it hurts them come playoff time. The Capitals struggled at home all season long and Florida will play the buzz saw in the first round. When your three defensemen lead the team in goals, assists and +/- over the last five games you know you have issues. Washington is too old, too slow and too late. Ovechkin (36), Oshie (35), Backstrom (34), Carlson (32), Eller (32) and Johansson (31) don’t match up to Florida’s speed and skill.
Florida on the other hand has turned up the volume on a team that was dominating the NHL prior to the trade deadline and they added pieces that continue to make noise. Sam Bennett, last year’s addition was a key piece along with Claude Giroux, whose veteran leadership only adds to the locker room dynamics.
Regular Season Series: Florida 2-1
Nov 4th: WASH 4 (Vanecek(2)/Samsonov(3)) @ FLA 5 (Knight(4)/Bobrovsky) (OT)
Nov 26th: FLA 3 (Bobrovsky(3)/Knight(1)) @ WASH 4 (Samsonov)
Nov 30th: WASH 4 (Samsonov) @ FLA 5 (Bobrovsky)
Florida Numbers
Home Wins 83% (34-7); Away Wins 59% (24-17)
Home Favorite 83% (34-7); Away Favorite 66% (23-12)
Home 71% Over (27O/11U); Away 50% O/U (19O/19U)
Home v Metro 92% (11-1); Away v Metro 58% (7-5)
Home Favorite +$1,677; Away Favorite +$334
Home PL 54% (22-19); Away PL 46% (19-22)
Washington Numbers
Home Wins 46% (19-22); Away Wins 61% (25-16)
Home Dog 50% (4-4); Away Dog 52% (11-10)
Home 61% Over (23O/15U); Away 54% Over (21O/18U)
Home v Atlantic 50% (6-6); Away v Atlantic 58% (7-5)
Home Dog +$42; Away Dog +$368
Home PL 35% (14-27); Away PL 71% (29-12)
