Adam Williams presents his prediction for the NHL match.
Once one of the fiercest rivalries in the National Hockey League, the fixture between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals has lost much of its former intensity. The two sides will close out the regular season in a match that holds no significance in terms of standings. The Pittsburgh Penguins have long been out of contention for the play-offs, while the Washington Capitals are coasting to the finish line, prioritising player health over results.
Pittsburgh Penguins
While the spotlight has largely remained fixed on Alexander Ovechkin’s historic achievements, the contributions of Sidney Crosby (32+57) deserve recognition in their own right. The captain of the Penguins is on course to complete his 20th consecutive season averaging more than a point per game. Over the last 20 matches, Sidney Crosby has recorded 14 goals and 14 assists, failing to register a point in only three of those appearances. Notably, in the 12 games where Sidney Crosby did make the scoresheet, the Penguins at least avoided defeat. He is in excellent form and continues to demonstrate that he thrives with competent support around him.
Washington Capitals
The Capitals have already surpassed all expectations for the regular season and are set to finish top of the Eastern Conference. With Alexander Ovechkin’s record no longer serving as additional motivation, the Capitals have shifted its focus to maintaining fitness ahead of the play-offs. Since the notable 1:4 defeat to the New York Islanders, they were completely outplayed by the Columbus Blue Jackets across two games, conceding 11 goals while scoring just once. That outcome is hardly surprising given that the coaching staff has opted to rest key players and avoid unnecessary risks. For instance, in one of the matches against the Columbus Blue Jackets, AHL call-up Hunter Shepard started in goal and conceded seven times from 26 shots.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Washington Capitals Prediction
Due to various reasons, the Washington Capitals will be without several key players, including defencemen John Carlson and Jakob Chychrun, goaltender Logan Thompson, and breakout performer Alexei Protas. Unlike their opponents, the Pittsburgh Penguins have little to lose and will be motivated to offer their fans a positive end to a disappointing campaign.
