OVER is 11-1 in Capitals’ Past 12 Games Ahead of Sunday Night Date with Calgary
- Capitals seeking fourth straight win as they host the Flames
- Washington has hit the over in 11 of their last 12 games
- Get the odds, our pick, and all the info you need to bet the game below
The high-scoring Washington Capitals will be aiming to extend their lead atop the Metropolitan Division with a fourth straight victory when they host the Calgary Flames on Sunday as -180 favorites.
Calgary Flames vs Washington Capitals Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline Odds | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calgary Flames | +1.5 (-145) | +155 | O 6.0 (-125) |
| Washington Capitals | -1.5 (+125) | -180 | U 6.0(+100) |
*Odds taken Nov. 3
Surging Offense Lifts Caps to Division Lead
Washington is coming off a decisive 6-1 win over the visiting Buffalo Sabres on Friday to improve to 7-0-1 over its past eight contests. The win helped maintain a three-point lead over the red-hot New York Islanders in the divisional standings going into Sunday night’s matchup at Capital One Arena.
OMG ANOTHER GOAL ARE YOU KEEPING UP?? Welcome to the scoring club, Brendan! pic.twitter.com/dlDefoBC7E
— x – Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 1, 2019
The Capitals have filled the net during their current surge, averaging 4.75 goals per game over their past eight contests, and enter Sunday’s action with a league-leading 60 goals so far this season. Washington’s freewheeling offense has returned steady dividends to sports bettors taking the OVER in in puck totals betting, which has paid out in each of the Capitals’ past nine contests, and in 11 of their past 12 overall.
The Capitals have filled the net during their current surge, averaging 4.75 goals per game over their past eight contests, and enter Sunday’s action with a league-leading 60 goals so far this season.
A string of impressive performances over an early-season schedule heavy on road dates has been key to Washington’s success. The Capitals have played nine of their first 15 games on the road, going 7-1-1 in these outings, and averaging over five goals per game over that stretch. Following a slow start on home ice that saw them fall to defeat in their first three outings, the Capitals have shown signs of a rebound on home ice, winning three straight while outscoring opponents by a 15-6 margin.
Secondary Scoring Key to OVER’s Steady Run
Alexander Ovechkin and John Carlson have led the attack for the Capitals, with the reigning Maurice Richard Trophy winner potting five goals and four assists over the past five games and at least one point in 11 of 12 outings, while putting a league-high 72 shots on goal. Carlson is also enjoying a spectacular start to the season, tallying multiple points in eight games so far, and 23 points on the season.
An absolute rocket from his office in @EASPORTSNHL OT, Caps off a four-point night for Alex Ovechkin (@ovi8). pic.twitter.com/CiAbQJrFIf
— NHL (@NHL) October 30, 2019
However, it is the Capitals’ secondary scoring that has made the difference in the team’s position in the standings. Six Washington shooters have scored at least five goals so far this season, with Jakub Vrana being the latest to join that group with a two-goal performance in Washington’s win over Buffalo on Friday as -190 home chalk.
And even though the total for Sunday night’s contest has dipped to 6.0 after being pegged at 6.5 in Washington’s past two games, it remains a solid value bet at -120. In addition, the OVER has paid out in each of the past three meetings between these two clubs, including a 5-3 Capitals win in Calgary on October 22 that extended Washington’s winning streak against the Flames to three games.
Flames Struggle in Back-to-Back Games
The Flames will look to end that stretch of futility when they hit the ice in Washington on Sunday night as +155 underdogs. Calgary is coming off a solid 3-0 win in Columbus on Saturday, and is now poised to win three in a row for the first time this season.
https://twitter.com/NHLFlames/status/1190830309723389953?s=20
However, the Flames have struggled to produce steady results when playing in the second half of back-to-back games, earning the win in just one of their past four, and scoring just six total goals over their past five, with the UNDER going 5-0-0 during that stretch.
Calgary Offense Lacking Consistency
Calgary has also struggled to produce steady offense at times, scoring three or fewer goals in 12 of their 16 games this season, and has averaged just 2.75 goals per game over the first four games of their current five-game road trip.
https://twitter.com/NHLFlames/status/1186857277711511553?s=20
Cam Talbot, who will get the call between the pipes for Calgary on Sunday, has also struggled badly against the Capitals. Talbot has earned the win in just one of his past five matchups with the Capitals, and allowed four goals on just 23 shots in his last appearance in Washington last November, as a member of the Edmonton Oilers.
Picks: Capitals -1.5 (+125); OVER 6.0 (-120)
Daniel has been writing about sports and sports betting for over 23 years. The seasoned pro has contributed to the likes of Sports Illustrated, Sportsnet, NESN, Bleacher Report, OddsShark, the Globe and Mail, and The Nation magazine.
