Ryan Hodges
Thursday represents a bittersweet day on the National Hockey League calendar. It’s bitter in that it is the final day of the regular season. But it is sweet in that the playoffs are just days away. There are 7 games on tap on Thursday, highlighted by the Capitals visiting the Penguins. The premiere matchup of the NHL’s final night of the 2024-25 season will be broadcast nationally on ESPN for a 7:00 pm ET puck drop. Anytime Alexander Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby face-off is must-see TV. To add some extra sizzle to this matchup, I’ve pieced together my Capitals vs Penguins Same Game Parlay picks at +550 odds, while you can also get our expert NHL picks for the final night of regular-season action.
Penguins ML (-112)
Over 6.5 (+110)
Sidney Crosby anytime goalscorer (+170)
Capitals vs Penguins Same Game Parlay odds: +550
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Pittsburgh Penguins ML over Washington Capitals (-112)
As great of a season as the Capitals have had, they are limping a little bit through the finish line of the regular season. Washington enters this game with 4 wins in their last 11 games. Included in that span is a 2-4-1 road record. Washington’s final regular season position in the standings has been solidified for a while now as they dominated the Eastern Conference all season long. With that, there isn’t much for Washington to get up for in this game. They won’t mail it in, but the same urgency that would otherwise be there could be missed as they just want to stay healthy for Game 1 against Montreal.
Despite being eliminated from playoff contention, the Penguins have continued to play hard through the end of this season. Pittsburgh has won 2 out of their last 3 games as part of 4 wins in their last 7. Of those 4 wins, there were 3 against teams that made the playoffs. The Penguins have also played well at home lately to the tune of 6 wins in their last 8 home games. For a couple weeks now, the Penguins have been the better team. In a game which Washington doesn’t need to win and may not have much motivation, Pittsburgh looks the more reliable play and makes the first leg of our Capitals vs Penguins Same Game Parlay.
Read our full Washington Capitals vs Pittsburgh Penguins prediction
Over 6.5 (+110)
During the cold stretch for the Capitals, it looks like they have all but abandoned goal prevention. In their last 7 losses, Washington has allowed 35 goals for an average of 5 goals allowed per game. If they deliver another lackluster performance similar to performances of late, the over has a great look. In the 4 games they won during that span, the Caps scored 17 goals for an average 4.25 goals scored per game. Whether the Capitals win or lose, their game totals have been climbing thanks to volatility on both sides of the puck.
A higher total would not be anything new for a Penguins game. The over is 42-35-4 in Penguins games this year, including 22-16-2 at home. The primary reason for overs in Pittsburgh games this year is also lackluster goal prevention. This year, the Penguins rank 30th of 32 teams in goals allowed per game. Their penalty kill is just below average as well as it ranks 17th in the league. In 3 head to head matchups this year between Washington and Pittsburgh, there have been 22 goals scored for an average game total of 7.33 goals. Given these teams’ weaknesses and recent trends, this one has the makings for another high total.
Sidney Crosby anytime goalscorer (+170)
To bring home our Capitals vs Penguins Same Game Parlay, we’re rolling with Sidney Crosby to find the net. Whether or not either team ‘needs’ to win, one thing we know for sure is that Sidney Crosby will show up to play. That is especially true against the Capitals. For the 20th season in a row, which recently eclipsed Wayne Gretzky’s record of 19 consecutive seasons, Sidney Crosby has tallied an average of over a point per game. He has 32 goals and 89 points this season in 79 games played. The point total ranks first on his team and would lead Washington as well. The goal total ranks second on his team and would rank 3rd on Washington. If there is anyone in this game likely to produce, it’s Sidney Crosby.
In his long career, Crosby typically saves some of his best performances for the Capitals. In 99 career games against Washington, comprising of both the regular season and playoffs, Crosby has logged 45 goals and 123 points. Given Crosby’s fantastic play this season and a potential chip on his shoulder from watching Ovechkin’s all-time goal record chase, there is a good chance Sid comes out with some added urgency to produce. He hasn’t shown any deviation whatsoever from his career performances against Washington, and Thursday doesn’t look to be the night that will change.
