NHL Predictions – Expert Picks on Friday, April 4:
Here are tonight’s NHL predictions:
Chicago Blackhawks at Washington Capitals (-400, 6.5)
7 p.m. ET
Alexander Ovechkin is just three goals shy of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal mark of 894. Tonight, he has sights set on Spencer Knight and the Chicago Blackhawks as the Washington Captials host Chicago. It is going to be a raucous crowd tonight at Capital One Arena in downtown Washington, in anticipation of the Great 8 knocking on the door of hockey history.
For his career, Ovi has 15 goals in the 25 games he has faced Chicago and two goals in the two games he has faced Spencer Knight. It should be noted that the games against Knight were when Knight was a member of the Florida Panthers. Chicago ranks 30th in goals allowed this season and have given up four or more goals in eight of their last 10 games and five goals, five times in that same span. Thus, there should be plenty of opportunities for Ovechkin to score a goal tonight, if not two. The Blackhawks also sit near the bottom of the league in giving up shots on goal at 31.7 shots per game (30th overall).
The sportsbooks are making you pay a premium for all the Ovechkin props tonight. No longer are you able to get “plus money” for an anytime goal. I am seeing (-145) for an Ovi goal at most spots around the country. If you want to target Ovi scoring at least two goals tonight, you can get that at +430. The numbers for Ovi to score a third-period goal (+290) and the last goal of the game (+650) have also taken a haircut. I will pass on the third-period goal but will still have his last goal prop in my portfolio.
A premium has also been applied to his shots on goal prop (Over 3.5/-146). If you want to play an alternate shot on goal prop, you can get Over 4.5 (+162). Just be aware that Ovechkin has registered five shots or more one time in the last 10 games.
My best bet for this game does not involve Alexander Ovechkin but will be on the Blackhawks to score a goal in the first period. Washington is a (-400) favorite tonight. In the 22 games this NHL season where there has been a favorite of (-400+), the underdog has scored a first-period goal 17 times. I will also be on both teams to score in the first period. The Caps are on a 20-4 run to the first period Over 1.5 goals and with my best bet on Chicago to score in the opening period I will take the “plus money” on both teams to score as opposed to paying “the juice” on the Over 1.5 goals (-180).
NHL Predictions: Blackhawks 1st period goal (-128) – 1unit
1st period BTTS (+140) – 1 unit
Alex Ovechkin anytime goal (-145) – .20 units
Alex Ovechkin last goal of the game +650 – .10 units
