NHL Hockey
2011-10-10 - Tampa Bay Lightning at Washington Capitals
A Sports Betting Pick by Addicted
Ice Hockey : North America : NHL
Monday, October 10th, 2011, 7:00PM US
(12:00AM GMT)
PREVIEW
The Washington Capitals are 1-0 so far and will entertain the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday night. Tampa are 1-1 so far and it doesn't look easy here stopping Washington, who have won 10 straight opening home games. Also, Washington have beaten Tampa Bay in 11 of their last 14 meetings.
That last stat looks great, but the Caps are not happy. You see, they lost 2 games here at home to Tampa Bay, who knocked them out of the Eastern Conference semis in the playoffs. Since that series, which hurt, this is the first time these two are facing each other and if you like playing revenge angles, this is it.
Washington have won their only game so far, winning 4-3 at Carolina . Nicklas Backstrom had 2 assists there and should link up well tonight with Alex Ovechkin, who has 60 points against Tampa Bay in 42 games. Another player that will likely trouble the Lightning defence is Alex Semin, who has scored 22 goals against the Lightning in just 33 meetings. There are a couple of new faces in this Capitals line-up, and I was really encouraged by the play of Joel Ward, who also got an assist in that OT win over the Hurricanes.
Tampa Bay will have to try to score against Tomas Vokoun, who has a .921 save % against them. He sat out the game in Carolina but is back between the sticks for this one, strengthening the team.
Tampa Bay are 1-1, having also beaten the Carolina Hurricanes. They won there 5-1 but in their last game got beaten convincingly 4-1 by Boston. Their main threat here will be Marty St. Louis, who has 2 goals and an assist through the Lightning's first 2 games. St. Louis is the 2nd highest scorer ever for Tampa Bay, with 296, while Lecavalier has 352 to lead that stat. Both will be playing here but with the goalie change for Washington, I see them being given a tougher time.
In terms of situation, I feel this is tough for Tampa because it is not a meaningful game, not like it was when they were playing Washington in the playoffs. They don't have the revenge motivation here and most importantly, should be fatigued as this is their 3rd straight road game.
BETTING VERDICT
Washington are 12-3 in their last 15 home games, while Tampa Bay are 4-9 in their last 13 visits to the Verizon Centre. Take the Washington Capitals at home against Tampa Bay.
The Pick :
Washington Capitals
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take the Washington Capitals to win @ 1.68 (Pinnacle)
