Washington Capitals Now Listed as Odds-On Favorites to Win the Metro With 10 Games Left
- The Washington Capitals are -120 favorites to win the Metropolitan division
- The Caps are 15-6-1 since February 5th, and have overtaken the Islanders as the betting favorite
- Are the Caps worth a wager, or should you bet the Islanders at +240?
This year’s Washington Capitals are finally starting to look like the team that brought DC its first major professional sports title in more than a quarter century last year.
These words will never, ever get old.
“THE WASHINGTON CAPITALS ARE THE 2018 STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS.” ?#CapsKnights #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/rATu0pw8NL
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) December 5, 2018
They’re 15-6-1 since a seven game losing streak, and are 8-2 in their last 10. They’re tied with the Islanders atop the Metropolitan, but despite being even in the standings, they’re a substantial favorite to win their fourth straight division title.
2019 NHL Metropolitan Division Odds
| Team | Odds to Win 2019 Metropolitan Division |
|---|---|
| Washington Capitals | -120 |
| New York Islanders | +240 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | +450 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | +1400 |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | +1600 |
| Philadelphia Flyers | +200000 |
*Odds taken on 03/19/19
Just two weeks ago, the Caps were slightly behind the Isles on the odds board, but their impressive recent play has shifted the balance of power in the eyes of the online sportsbooks.
Washington Has Owned the Division
A big reason for Washington’s turnaround has been their play within the division. They have points in 17 of 23 games against Metropolitan opponents, including six wins in their last eight divisional match-ups.
Another win in the books!#CapsFlyers FINAL SCORE powered by @alarmdotcom: #Caps 5 – Flyers 2 #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/FP9hsjqkwI
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 15, 2019
They’ll need to replicate that divisional dominance down the stretch, as five of their final 10 tilts are against Metropolitan opponents, including the final game of the season against the Islanders.
OVI ALLEY-OOP!! #CapsIsles pic.twitter.com/6WpgoNDWi2
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 2, 2019
The Caps are 2-1 versus the Isles this season, and have held New York to two goals or less in each of the three meetings
Alexander is Still Great
Father time may have turned Alex Ovechkin’s hair grey, but it’s had no effect on his goal scoring prowess.
Forty-Seven. #ALLCAPS @ovi8 pic.twitter.com/y0PEjcX7t8
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 17, 2019
Ovy is on pace lead to the league in goals for the sixth time in seven seasons, and is just two goals shy of his eighth career 50 goal campaign. Even when the Caps were struggling, his offensive production barely suffered, and he’s the main reason why Washington looks poised to make another deep playoff run.
Alexander Ovechkin is partying at a level that would even give Gronk’s liver nightmares. pic.twitter.com/73MsRnnUk7
— Penguins Jesus (@PenguinsJesus) June 10, 2018
And let’s be honest, who doesn’t want to see another off-season full of Ovechkin hijinx?
What About the Isles?
The Capitals’ mid-season hangover was inevitable and now that they’re firing on all cylinders they deserve to be the favorites to win the division.
CAPS TODAY: The Capitals have the most players in the NHL with at least 18 goals this season. More info on the Caps at https://t.co/HecIC0ECg1 pic.twitter.com/1eFNJ0PEMt
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) March 19, 2019
They have more experience and talent than the Islanders, and New York appears to be playing well above expectations. The Isles have the sixth worst Corsi in the league, and advanced metrics suggest their even strength goal differential should only be +4.2, not +28 where it currently sits.
Pick: Capitals (-120)
As SBD's resident Swiss Army Knife, Chris covers virtually every sport including NFL, PGA, NBA, MLB, NCAAB, NCAAF and the Olympics. A true grinder, he'd rather pick off small edges in the player props market than swing for the fences with a 5-leg parlay.
