Capitals vs. Lightning Player Props, Picks and Predictions – Thursday, Feb. 22

Nov 4, 2023; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) skates with the puck in the second period against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre.
Image Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

We have your Washington Capitals vs. Tampa Bay Lightning prop betting and game preview needs covered as the Washington Capitals hit the road to face the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Washington Capitals (25-21-8) are gearing up to face the Tampa Bay Lightning (30-22-5) in a thrilling Eastern Conference showdown. With both teams eager to secure a win to bolster their playoff positioning, this matchup promises to be a high-stakes affair.

Washington Capitals vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Odds Info

Moneyline: Washington Capitals +165 (Bet365) / Tampa Bay Lightning -200 (Bet365)

Puck Line: -1.5 – Washington Capitals -145 (BetMGM) / Tampa Bay Lightning +132 (BetRivers)

Total: 6.5 – -112 (BetRivers) / -100 (FanDuel)

Game Info

Date: Thursday, Feb. 22

Time: 07:00 PM

Location: Amalie Arena – Tampa, FL

TV: ESPN

Washington Capitals Betting Trends

  • On the road this season, the Washington Capitals have 11 wins and 15 losses.
  • As the underdog this season, the Washington Capitals have 13 wins and 26 losses.
  • This season, the Washington Capitals have hit 24 overs and 30 unders.

Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Trends

  • At home this season, the Tampa Bay Lightning have 18 wins and 10 losses.
  • As the favorite this season, the Tampa Bay Lightning have 20 wins and 12 losses.
  • This season, the Tampa Bay Lightning have hit 28 overs and 29 unders.

Historic Head-to-Head Stats and Analysis

Over the last two seasons, the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Washington Capitals have faced off four times, with Tampa Bay emerging victorious in three of those encounters. These matchups occurred between November 2022 and December 2023, showcasing a competitive edge between the two teams. In terms of betting statistics, the home team has claimed three wins, while the visiting team has secured one win. When it comes to covering the spread, both teams have an equal record, with each team beating the spread twice. The total score has hit the over twice and the under twice as well, indicating a balance between offensive outbursts and defensive showdowns. Key statistics from these games reveal a trend of close contests, as evidenced by the final score spreads and the over-under results. The games have featured strong goaltending performances, with save percentages often on the higher end, and a mix of even-strength and special teams contributions to the scoring.

The most recent game between the two teams took place on December 23, 2023, and ended in a 2-1 shootout victory for the Washington Capitals. The game was tightly contested, with Luke Glendening of the Lightning scoring the opening goal, and Anthony Mantha of the Capitals tying it up in the second period. The game remained deadlocked through the third period and overtime, leading to a decisive shootout where the Capitals outscored the Lightning. The closing moneyline favored Tampa Bay at -152, indicating they were the favorites to win, but the Capitals, with a moneyline of +125, ultimately took the game. The defensive aspect was highlighted by the number of blocked shots, with the Lightning recording 21 and the Capitals 17. Hits were also plentiful, with the Capitals delivering 20 and the Lightning 16. Both goaltenders put on a clinic, with the Capitals’ goalie saving 19 of 20 shots for a save percentage of 0.95, and the Lightning’s Andrei Vasilevskiy stopping 33 of 34 shots for a save percentage of 0.971. Despite the low-scoring affair, the game was an intense battle that ultimately favored the underdog and the under on the over-under.

Washington Capitals vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Predictions

The Capitals are coming into this game with a two-game winning streak, looking to continue their push towards the playoff picture. With Alex Ovechkin leading the team in points and Dylan Strome topping the goal-scoring charts, Washington’s offense has the firepower to challenge any opponent. However, they’ll be up against a Tampa Bay team that is determined to rebound from a two-game losing streak and solidify their standing in the Eastern Conference. The Lightning’s offensive prowess is highlighted by Nikita Kucherov, who leads the team in goals, assists, and points, making him a key player to watch in this contest.

Defensively, both teams have had their struggles but also shown moments of brilliance. The Capitals will rely on their veteran presence and physicality to contain the Lightning’s attack, while Tampa Bay will look to their goaltending and quick transition play to stifle Washington’s forwards. Special teams could play a pivotal role in this game, with both teams seeking to capitalize on power-play opportunities and maintain discipline to avoid costly penalties.

This game features a compelling matchup between the Capitals’ scoring depth and the Lightning’s dynamic offensive leaders. With both teams fighting for a better position as the playoffs approach, expect a competitive and intense battle on the ice. The outcome could hinge on the performance of star players, the effectiveness of defensive strategies, and the ability to execute under pressure. As these Eastern Conference rivals clash at Amalie Arena, fans are in for an exciting night of hockey.

Washington Capitals vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Pick

The Washington Capitals are entering this game with a two-game winning streak and a strong desire to improve their playoff positioning. Despite being the underdogs, their recent performance, coupled with the Lightning’s recent struggles, suggests they have the momentum to take down Tampa Bay. The Capitals have shown they can win tight games, as evidenced by their recent 2-1 shootout victory over the Lightning. With key players like Ovechkin and Strome in good form, they have the offensive capabilities to challenge the Lightning’s defense and goaltending. Additionally, the Capitals’ ability to perform under pressure and their resilience in close games give them an edge in what is expected to be a highly contested matchup.

While the Lightning are formidable at home and have a strong record as favorites, their current two-game losing streak and recent erratic performances indicate potential vulnerabilities that the Capitals can exploit. The historical head-to-head data also supports the potential for an upset, with the Capitals having won the most recent encounter despite the odds. Considering the favorable moneyline for the Capitals and their current form, a bet on Washington’s moneyline is a calculated risk with a potentially high reward, making it the right pick for this game.

The Pick: Washington Capitals +165 (Bet365)

Washington Capitals vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Player Prop Picks

Here are the players who have hit over their current prop line in at least 7 of their last 10 games.

Washington Capitals

Player Name Prop Line Over Rate Over Odds Under Odds Last 10 Average Projection
Alex Ovechkin Points 0.5 9/10 -180 +140 1.3 1.20
Dylan Strome Points 0.5 7/10 -125 -105 1.1 1.09

Tampa Bay Lightning

Player Name Prop Line Over Rate Over Odds Under Odds Last 10 Average Projection
Steven Stamkos Shots On Goal 2.5 7/10 -125 -105 3.5 3.48
Brandon Hagel Points 0.5 10/10 -166 +130 1.5 1.20
Anthony Cirelli Points 0.5 8/10 -130 +100 1.0 1.02
Brayden Point Shots On Goal 2.5 7/10 -130 +100 2.7 2.67
Anthony Cirelli Assists 0.5 7/10 +140 -180 0.8 0.82
Victor Hedman Assists 0.5 7/10 -160 +124 0.9 0.86
Nikita Kucherov Assists 0.5 7/10 -215 +165 1.0 1.00
Victor Hedman Points 0.5 7/10 -215 +165 0.9 0.88