NHL Betting :
Coyotes - Capitals Preview

Phoenix Coyotes (29-17-5) @ Washington Capitals (32-12-6)
Ice Hockey: United States, NHL 2009/2010
Saturday, 23rd January 2010 - 7:30pm ET / 00:30 GMT

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Betting Odds : Capitals ML -180

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The Super Bowl odds and NFL picks are the main topics of conversation nowadays but January is a very busy calendar month in the sports world.

While the attention will be on the gridiron on Sunday, the attention will focus to the ice on Saturday as the Phoenix Coyotes and Washington Capitals get set for an intriguing cross-conference game.

The Coyotes were expected to be one of the worst teams in the NHL this year but they just won’t seem to go away. Not only are they not the calamitous disaster that most people thought they would be, they are competing for a playoff spot and home ice advantage in the postseason.

Lately, the Coyotes have cooled off a bit over their last 10 games and are just 4-4-2 in that span. That slumber might continue as they head to Washington because they really haven’t played well at all this season.

The Capitals are the best team in the Eastern Conference right now and the Coyotes are just 10-9-3 on the road this year. This could be a mismatch and the Coyotes will really have to bring their best effort to get the job done.

The Washington Capitals are on cruise control and playing in one of the worst divisions in hockey definitely helps them out.

The Capitals are a virtual lock to win the Southeast Division and the season is just passed the halfway point. The Capitals have 70 points in the bank already and their next nearest competitor is 19 behind them.

They are flat out rolling right now and have won eight of their last 10 games. Their last win was a big one as they stomped the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-3 on Thursday. Alexander Ovechkin notched his 31st and 32nd goals of the season and he has six goals and 12 assists during his season-high eight-game point strek.

The Capitals are an impressive 17-7-0 at home and considering how the Coyotes play away from it, they should have an easy time on Saturday.

The Coyotes have won four of the last five meetings with the Capitals and are 4-0-1 in Washington in their last five but the two teams are in different spots right now.

THe Betting Verdict

Look for Ovechkin to take charge and for the Capitals to win on Saturday.

The Pick :

Capitals 5, Coyotes 2

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take the WASHINGTON CAPITALS to win on the Moneyline.