The Washington Capitals have been absolute road warriors in the 2021-22 season, overcoming a pedestrian home record to be the NHL’s top road team. Washington is a remarkable 24-8-6 on the road, which is the main reason why they sit just two points behind the Pittsburgh Penguins for third place in the Metropolitan Division.
The Capitals will try to improve on that road record tonight as they visit the Arizona Coyotes in one of just four contests on the NHL slate. Washington has a game in hand on Pittsburgh so getting a win against Arizona would tie things up with four games left to play (after Friday).
If you’re betting online, be sure to check out our previews of tonight’s games:
Senators vs Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets are happy to be home after a brutal California road trip in which they lost three games in four days, all in regulation. They’ll welcome in the Ottawa Senators fresh off a shootout win over the Vancouver Canucks. Ottawa should have Anton Forsberg back in net and that’s a big boost for the Senators.
This game is close to being a pick’em on the NHL betting lines with Columbus as a very slight home favorite. You should go with Ottawa straight-up, and maybe to win in regulation – the Senators have played pretty well when Forsberg is in goal. The over is a smart play as well.
Kraken vs Wild
The Seattle Kraken will try to play spoiler in their game against the Minnesota Wild on Friday. Seattle just ended a perfect 3-0-0 homestand and now heads to Minnesota to play a Wild team that has also won three straight (and six of seven). Minnesota is tied with the St. Louis Blues for second place in the Central Division but has a game in hand, so the Wild control their own destiny.
If Minnesota beats out St. Louis, the Wild will have home-ice advantage in their first-round series against (in all likelihood) the Blues, so getting that edge is an important one. As a result, they’re a big home favorite over Seattle tonight and are a safe bet on the puck line.
Avalanche vs Oilers
The Colorado Avalanche have already clinched the top spot in the Western Conference and, as their recent results suggest, they don’t have much to play for until the playoffs start. Colorado has followed up a nine-game winning streak with back-to-back losses, which is a great sign for the Edmonton Oilers who are trying to hold off the Los Angeles Kings for second place in the Pacific.
Colorado is just a slight road favorite on the BetUS sportsbook in this one but Edmonton should be favored because the Oilers still need to secure their postseason berth. Take the Oilers to win in regulation with Colorado taking its foot off the gas pedal.
Capitals vs Coyotes
In spite of a 4-3 overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday, the Washington Capitals have won six of eight and have put themselves in a great position to sneak into the top three in the Metropolitan. They also get to play the Arizona Coyotes, who have lost eight straight games and are 2-13-2 in their last 17 games.
FWIW: #ALLCAPS are NHL-best 24-8-6 on the road this season. Only WSH (8) and FLA (9) have fewer than 11 regulation defeats on the road this season
— Ben Raby (@BenRaby31) April 22, 2022
Arizona has been giving up tons of goals during this skid so the Capitals should win easily as huge road favorites. Take Washington on the puck line.
