Capitals vs. Blackhawks NHL Predictions, Picks and Odds - Jan. 3

The Washington Capitals and Chicago Blackhawks -- the former coming off a defeat, the latter a victory -- will meet on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET, at Capital One Arena in Washington. Capitals (-265) versus Blackhawks (+215) looks lopsided, according to the moneyline odds.

Washington fell 4-3 on the road in its last game on Jan. 1 against the Ottawa Senators. The Capitals got two points each out of Justin Sourdif (two assists) and Tom Wilson (one goal and one assist).

Chicago won at home in its most recent game on Jan. 1, 4-3 over the Dallas Stars. The Blackhawks got two points apiece out of three players in that matchup, including Ilya Mikheyev (two goals) and Andre Burakovsky (two assists).

Here is our prediction for who will capture the victory in Saturday's matchup.

Capitals vs. Blackhawks Predictions & Pick

Ahead of the upcoming game between the Washington Capitals and Chicago Blackhawks, computer-calculated moneyline, over/under, and score predictions are below, based on data from Dunkel Index.

• Prediction: Capitals 5 - Blackhawks 2
• Pick OU: Over 5.5 (Dunkel projecting 7.06 goals)
  

Pick with the best in the business! Get free picks for every game, every week at the Dunkel Index.

Capitals vs. Blackhawks Moneylines

Take a peek below at the most up-to-date moneylines for the Capitals-Blackhawks matchup.

• Favorite: Capitals (-265)
• Underdog: Blackhawks (+215)

Capitals Betting Insights

• The Capitals are 17-11 this season when favored on the moneyline.
• Washington has had moneyline odds of -265 or shorter in just one game this season, and won.
• The implied moneyline probability for this game says the Capitals have a 72.6% chance to win.
• In 24 of 41 matches this season, Washington and its opponent have combined to finish above 5.5 goals.

Blackhawks Betting Insights

• The Blackhawks have been an underdog in 38 games this season, and won 15 (39.5%).
• This season Chicago has won two of its six games when it's the underdog by at least +215 on the moneyline.
• The implied probability of a win by the Blackhawks, based on the moneyline, is 31.7%.
• Chicago has combined with its opponent to score over 5.5 goals in 19 of 40 games this season.

Capitals Key Stats

• Washington has scored the eighth-most goals in the league (133 total, 3.2 per game).
• The Capitals have conceded 114 total goals (2.8 per game), the ninth-fewest in NHL action.
• It has the league's fifth-best goal differential at +19.
• The 19 power-play goals the Capitals have put up this season (to rank 26th in the NHL) have come on 119 power-play chances.
• Washington ranks 28th in the league with a 15.97% power-play conversion rate.
• The one shorthanded goal the Capitals have scored this season rank 26th among NHL teams.
• Washington's 76.74% penalty-kill success rate ranks 25th in the league.
• Washington wins 48.9% of its faceoffs to rank 23rd in the NHL.
• The Capitals connect on 11.1% of their shots (12th in the league).

Blackhawks Key Stats

• Chicago has 111 goals this season (2.8 per game), 26th in the NHL.
• The Blackhawks' total of 127 goals given up (3.2 per game) is 19th in the NHL.
• With a goal differential of -16, the team is 27th in the league.
• The Blackhawks have 24 power-play goals (14th in NHL) on 114 chances.
• Chicago's power-play percentage (21.05) puts the team 12th in the league.
• This season, the Blackhawks have three shorthanded goals (11th in NHL).
• Chicago's has the fifth-best penalty-kill percentage (83.46%).
• Chicago wins 46.6% of faceoffs, 28th-ranked in the NHL.
• With a shooting percentage of 11.1%, the Blackhawks are 12th in the league.