Capitals vs Golden Knights Picks and Predictions: Can Vegas' Playoff Hopes Avoid Another Setback?

The Washington Capitals and Vegas Golden Knights enter Wednesday’s game in Sin City looking to improve their playoff status. 

The Capitals are a point behind the Pittsburgh Penguins for third in the Metropolitan Division, and already have one of the two wild-card spots sewn up. For the Golden Knights, this is a must-win should they keep their flickering postseason hopes alive. 

Will Washington continue their strong play away from home, or will Vegas break a two-game losing streak and continue their chase for a playoff spot? Find out in our free NHL picks and predictions for Capitals vs. Golden Knights on Wednesday.  

Capitals vs Golden Knights odds

This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.

The Golden Knights opened at -125 and shot up to -135 and several sportsbooks, but is at -128 at BetMGM. The Capitals opened at +105 and it has gotten up to +115 at most books.

The total opened at 4.5 and was immediately bet up to 5.5 and in some cases, 6. The Over 6 is juiced to -115, while the Under sits at +100. 

Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until puck drop and be sure to check out the full NHL odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.

Capitals vs Golden Knights predictions

• Prediction: Capitals ML (+115)
• Prediction: Over 6 (-115)
• Best bet: Capitals to win by one goal (+775)

Predictions made on 4/20/2022 at 3:00 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.

Capitals vs Golden Knights game info

• Location: T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, NV
• Date: Wednesday, April 20, 2022
• Puck drop: 10:00 p.m. ET
• TV: SportsNet Rocky Mountain, NBCS-DC

Capitals vs Golden Knights betting preview

Key injuries

Capitals: Carl Hagelin F (Out).
Golden Knights: Reilly Smith F (Out), Laurent Brossoit G (Out), Will Carrier F (Out), Nolan Patrick C (Out), Nic Hague D (Out), Brent Howden C (Out).
Find our latest NHL injury reports.

Capitals vs Golden Knights head-to-head record

Capitals: 2-1 SU, six goals for.
Golden Knights: 1-2 SU, seven goals for.

Betting trend to know

The Over is 5-0 in the Capitals’ last five games against Pacific Division opponents and 9-1 in their last 10 road games. Find more NHL betting trends for Capitals vs. Golden Knights.

Capitals vs Golden Knights picks and predictions

Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.

Moneyline analysis

The Vegas Golden Knights dug themselves a hole on Monday when they lost 3-2 to the New Jersey Devils. Not only was it their second consecutive loss, but a lost opportunity at two valuable points against a non-playoff foe at home. 

Now, Vegas finds itself in a must-win situation against the Washington Capitals at T-Mobile Arena. Even though they're favored, knocking off Washington will not be an easy task.

Defense has been an issue with the Golden Knights all year long, but it's been the goaltending that's let the team down of late. Robin Lehner has been injured throughout the season, his last being a concussion.

Since returning on April 3, Lehner has gone 2-3, allowing 16 goals. His two victories came against Vancouver and Arizona, both non-playoff teams. The expectation was for Lehner to become the team's future goalie, but he's been a liability of late, and it wouldn't be shocking to see backup Logan Thompson get the start tonight.

Though Thompson has played fewer games than Lehner, he has a better goals against average (2.55 to Lehner's 2.83) and save percentage (.922 to .907).

Washington has been playing great hockey of late, having won eight of its last 10 games, including wins over Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh, and Boston. 

Their most impressive victory came Monday, when they went into Denver, and downed the Stanley Cup favorite Colorado Avalanche, 3-2. 

The Capitals are the underdog but it’s hard to understand why. With their recent performances, handling a struggling Golden Knights team shouldn’t be a problem. 

Prediction: Capitals moneyline (+115 at Caesars)

Over/Under analysis

In the lone January meeting between these squads, Vegas won 1-0. However, that contest should be considered an outlier with the Over hitting in the four previous games, a streak dating back to 2018. 

Washington's offense has been producing at a high level of late, scoring three or more goals in five of its last seven games, including outbursts of eight against Montreal and nine against Philadelphia.

The Over has hit in all five of Washington’s most recent games against Pacific Division opponents. Being on the road doesn’t seem to faze the Caps, with the Over cashing in nine of their last 10 away from home. 

The Golden Knights are also trending towards the Over. In their last seven home games, the Over is 6-1, as well as being 4-1 as a home favorite. 

In urgent need of a win, the Golden Knights will either get control of this game by scoring early, or they'll fall behind, allowing even more scoring chances to Washington's eighth-best offense. 

Prediction: Over 6 (-115 at BetMGM)

Best bet

Washington has already gotten one road victory on this trip, defeating the Avs 3-2 on Monday, as mentioned earlier. Taking care of the inconsistent Golden Knights shouldn’t be a problem. 

The Golden Knights have lost their last four games with their chances at a playoff berth quickly slipping away. Wednesday’s game against Washington is a must-win, and Vegas hasn't been good in pressure situations.

Throw in the fact that Lehner should be the starter tonight and it doesn’t bode a lot of confidence in the Knights’ chances. Lehner has given up 15 goals in his last five games, a mark that won't win you very many hockey games. 

The Capitals will take advantage of Lehner and win their second consecutive one-goal game. 

Pick: Capitals to win by one goal (+775 at BetMGM)

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