Washington Capitals vs Florida Panthers Prediction: Expect a win for the guests

Prediction for the NHL Washington Capitals vs Florida Panthers match, which will take place on April 9. Check the team conditions and choose several betting options.

Washington failed to make the playoffs for the first time in nine years, which made them so sad that they gave up playing altogether. The regular season was highly problematic for the Capitals. They were constantly experiencing problems with their roster due to endless injuries and could not show their best hockey. As a result, the gap from cup eight became too big, and the chances of solving the main task for the season came close to zero. That is why they suffered eight defeats in the last nine meetings, beating only Chicago - 6:1. Washington remains in 13th place in the Eastern Conference standings.

For a long time, Florida was even below Washington, but in the second half of the regular season, was able to add significantly, getting closer to the Cup eight. Almost all their efforts were spoiled by a four-game scoreless streak at the end of March, but the Southerners picked their heads up in time to stop losing. They haven't lost a point in their last five games, and they crushed Columbus and Florida State 7:0 and 7:2. The Panthers are now in seventh place in the Eastern Conference standings, but they are only one point behind Pittsburgh, and it is too early to celebrate their playoff chances.

Washington didn't make the playoffs for the first time in nine years, so now the Capitals are just finishing the regular season with no tournament prospects. Even Alexander Ovechkin, chasing Wayne Gretzky, doesn't look as energized as before. The Panthers are in a very different situation. They sit in eighth place in the Eastern Conference standings, one point ahead of their closest pursuer so any slip-up could ruin their Cup ambitions. This season the Southerners won both of their meetings; that's why we need to bet on the victory of Florida.

The confrontation between Washington and Florida is characterized by incredibly high-scoring activity. In the last ten head-to-head encounters, the opponents have scored 85 goals against each other (8.50 goals per game average). And now the Capitals have nothing to lose, and the Panthers are strong on offense, so the total over 6.5 pucks seems to be the best option for the prediction, and separately we should look at the bet on the total over 0.5 points of Aaron Ekblad.