Washington vs Pittsburgh Prediction: the Penguins are Back in Fight for Playoff

Prediction for the NHL match between Washington Capitals vs Pittsburgh Penguins, which will take place on April 5th. Who will turn out to be stronger? Check the team conditions! Several betting options are available.

The Capitals' position is gradually worsening. They have been on the edge of the Cup Eight during the regular season. Recently, they won six out of seven games, with the only loss to Toronto, 3-7. They appeared to gain momentum and improve their position in the playoff zone. However, the team has lost their last three games: 1-5 to Toronto, 2-3 to Boston in overtime, and 2-6 to Buffalo. Washington currently holds the eighth place in the Eastern standings, but one point in three games is not what they need.

Pittsburgh's story is very similar. The Pennsylvanians strive to reach the playoff zone, but every time they approach the coveted eighth place, they experience a slump. By mid-March, the Penguins had abandoned their main aim, trading Jake Guentzel to Carolina. However, their results suddenly improved. In the last six meetings, they have never left the arena without scoring, winning four and losing twice. The visitors are 11th in the Eastern standings, three points behind the top-8.

The upcoming match between direct competitors in the fight for the Cup Eight is unpredictable due to their rough and tumble regular season. The outcome has tremendous tournament significance. The Penguins have earned 10 out of 12 points in the last six meetings, one of the best results in the league during that stretch. Meanwhile, the Capitals have lost three matches.

The teams focus on solid defense rather than fun and productive hockey. The team that can prevent another high-scoring game will likely come out on top. In their last eight games against the Capitals, the Penguins have only managed to take 59 shots on goal, averaging 7.38 per game. In the 11 previous games, they scored and conceded a total of 84 goals, averaging 7.64. This defensive battle will be a key factor in the outcome of the game.