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Capitals vs. Penguins NHL Player Props, Odds: Picks & Predictions for Tuesday

Jones Helena

Updated as of January 2, 2024 at 5:46 PM EST. Read time: 2 minutes and 33 seconds. Find more information on Twitter and Google News.

Jake Guentzel of the Pittsburgh Penguins is featured in our NHL player prop picks for Capitals vs. Penguins.
Jake Guentzel #59 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena on December 27, 2023 in Elmont, New York. Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images via AFP.

The newest chapter in the Alex Ovechkin vs. Sidney Crosby rivalry unfolds as the Washington Capitals struggle and the Pittsburgh Penguins heat up. Our top player props for the Capitals vs. Penguins NHL matchup are determined by the most favorable NHL odds available.

The Washington Capitals finished 2023 on a low note, suffering four consecutive losses and only managing to score five goals during that time. In contrast, the Pittsburgh Penguins are on a hot streak, winning three games in a row and five out of their last six. Additionally, Pittsburgh has emerged victorious in three of their last four matchups against the Capitals.

Below are our top player props and picks for the Capitals vs. Penguins NHL game, with odds from our recommended NHL betting sites. Confidence in each pick is rated on a scale of 1 to 5 stars.

Capitals vs. Penguins NHL Player Props

Jake Guentzel anytime goal (+130 via bet365) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Jake Guentzel has been a reliable goal scorer for the Penguins, finding the back of the net nine times in the team’s last 13 games. He appears poised to add to his goal total against the Capitals’ struggling defense.

Since Thanksgiving, Washington has ranked 21st in the NHL in shot prevention, while Guentzel has been averaging more than 3.5 shots per game this season. In December, Guentzel’s average increased to over 3.8 shots per game.

Scoring a goal and accumulating shots is a more enticing bet compared to reaching four shots on goal to satisfy the Over 3.5 shots prop. The most favorable odds can be found at bet365 with +130, followed by BetRivers with +123, among our top sports betting apps.

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Evgeni Malkin Over 2.5 shots on goal (-125 via Caesars) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Evgeni Malkin is not scoring as frequently as he would prefer, but he remains confident in his shot despite the current statistics.

Malkin took 41 shots on goal in 13 December games, scoring only four times. Despite this, his odds for scoring at any time are questionable at +180 to +200. However, betting on Malkin to have over 2.5 shots on goal holds value, as he has had at least three shots in nine of his last 13 games.

The -125 line can be found on many of the top sports betting sites, including DraftKings, BetMGM, bet365, and Caesars.

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Evgeny Kuznetsov Under 0.5 points (-145 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Scoring goals has been a struggle for the Capitals, making it difficult for them to win games. Their offensive woes have them ranked last in the NHL for goals per game. Going up against the Penguins, who have a strong defense ranking sixth in goals allowed per game, will only add to Washington’s challenges in getting back on track.

Evgeny Kuznetsov is currently experiencing a point-scoring dry spell along with several other players on the team. He has not registered a point in nine consecutive games. His time on the ice has been reduced from 20:51 in November to 17:05 in December, and he only averaged one shot on goal per game in 12 games last month.

Taking the Kuznetsov prop at -145 on DraftKings gives you a small advantage over the -150 odds offered at BetMGM and bet365.

NHL player props for the Capitals vs. Penguins game were set on Tuesday at 10:45 a.m. ET.

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Written By:
Jones Helena
Robert M. Criscola is a veteran sportswriter from Brooklyn, NY whose work has appeared at Covers.com, MetroBet, TwinSpires Edge, and Horse Racing Nation. Robert is often found in “the best seat in the house,” watching the game of the night (or the race of the day) in his living room.