Capitals vs. Panthers NHL Predictions, Picks and Odds - Jan. 17

The Washington Capitals (24-18-6) host the Florida Panthers (24-19-3) on Saturday, Jan. 17, with both teams coming off a loss in their last game. Capitals (-155) versus Panthers (+130) has a clear favorite, according to the moneyline odds.

Washington's most recent game was a 3-2 home loss to the San Jose Sharks on Jan. 15. The Capitals got one point apiece out of six skaters, including Ryan Leonard (one goal) and Jakob Chychrun (one assist).

Florida's most recent game was a road loss, 9-1, against the Carolina Hurricanes on Jan. 16. Three Panthers players had one point each in that outing, including Matthew Samoskevich (one assist) and Uvis Balinskis (one goal).

Ahead of this matchup, here's who we predict to secure the win in Saturday's hockey contest.

Capitals vs. Panthers Predictions & Pick

For predictions on the upcoming contest between the Washington Capitals and Florida Panthers, computer-derived moneyline, over/under, and score predictions are below, sourced from Dunkel Index.

• Prediction: Capitals 3 - Panthers 2
• Pick OU: Under 6.5 (Dunkel projecting 5.07 goals)
  

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

Capitals vs. Panthers Moneylines

Take a peek below at the most recent moneylines for the Capitals-Panthers matchup.

• Favorite: Capitals (-155)
• Underdog: Panthers (+130)

Capitals Betting Insights

• The Capitals are 20-15 when favored on the moneyline this season.
• When playing with moneyline odds of -155 or shorter, Washington has compiled a 7-8 record (winning 46.7% of its games).
• The Capitals have a 60.8% chance (based on the moneyline's implied probability) to win this game.
• Washington's games this season have gone over this matchup's total of 6.5 goals 19 times.

Panthers Betting Insights

• This season the Panthers have been an underdog 14 times, and won 10, or 71.4%, of those games.
• Florida has not won as the underdog of +130 or more on the moneyline this season in three such games.
• The oddsmakers' moneyline implies a 43.5% chance of victory for the Panthers.
• Florida has combined with its opponent to score more than 6.5 goals in 23 of 46 games this season.

Capitals Key Stats

• Washington's 155 total goals (3.2 per game) rank ninth in the NHL.
• The Capitals have given up 133 total goals (2.8 per game), the eighth-fewest in league action.
• Its +22 goal differential is the fourth-best in the league.
• The 22 power-play goals the Capitals have recorded this season (on 139 power-play chances) rank 26th in the NHL.
• Washington has the league's 27th-ranked power-play conversion rate (15.83%).
• The Capitals have scored one shorthanded goal this season (27th among NHL squads).
• Washington kills 77.78% of opponent power plays, the 22nd-ranked penalty-kill percentage in the league.
• Washington wins 49% of its faceoffs (22nd in NHL).
• The Capitals connect on 11.1% of their shots (13th in the league).

Panthers Key Stats

• With 138 goals (three per game), Florida has the NHL's 21st-ranked offense.
• The Panthers have given up 153 total goals this season (3.3 per game), 22nd in the league.
• Its -15 goal differential ranks 22nd in the league.
• The Panthers have 31 power-play goals (on 171 chances), 12th in the NHL.
• Florida's power-play percentage (18.13) puts the team 22nd in the league.
• The Panthers have five shorthanded goals (seventh in NHL).
• The 81.76% penalty-kill percentage of Florida is ninth in the NHL.
• Florida is 27th in faceoff win rate in the NHL (47.3%).
• The Panthers' 10.4% shooting percentage is 23rd in the league.