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🏆 Playoffs
Last updated: April 17, 2025 5:45 AM EDT • 5 min read
If you’re anything like me, you’ll wonder why it’s taking an eternity for the playoffs to arrive. I had the same butterflies while awaiting Santa’s visit all those years ago.
It’s a relief that we have a few more tune-up games to keep us occupied as the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins square off at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh tonight at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN).
Our Capitals vs. Penguins prediction and NHL picks expect the visitors to secure a final victory before facing the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the playoffs. 
📅 Date: Thursday, April 17 
🕗 Time: 7 p.m. ET 
📍 Location: PPG Paints Arena (Pittsburgh)
📺 TV: ESPN 
💻 Streaming: EPSN+
📈 For full team stats and betting line history, follow our Capitals vs. Penguins matchup page. 
🎯 Score prediction: Capitals 4, Penguins 2
✅ Best bet: Capitals ML (-110 via bet365)
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The Capitals’ poor patch to end the regular season was primarily due to extenuating and extraordinary circumstances. Not every day does your captain chase what was once perceived as an unbreakable record. It’s easy to overlook their listless play when you view things from that lens. 
While more of a reality than an excuse, it doesn’t change the fact that Washington is not at its peak entering the postseason. That’s why I’m backing them to win their final regular-season contest.
Spencer Carbery will probably rest players as he did against the New York Islanders on Tuesday. Despite John Carlson and Jakob Chychrun having the night off, the Caps won 3-1, ending an 11-game streak in which they conceded three or more goals.
The victory epitomized the Caps’ identity before the recent collapse. Making it two in a row entering the playoffs will provide a little confidence jolt for the Stanley Cup odds contenders, which might be required against a Canadiens team that has been playing elite, playoff-like hockey since the 4 Nations Face-Off break.
👉 Check out our guide on how to bet on the NHL.
✅ Against the spread pick: Capitals +1.5 (-280 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
✅ Moneyline pick: Capitals (-110 via bet365) ⭐⭐⭐
✅ Over/Under pick: Over 5.5 (-130 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐
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🔎 Our NEW NHL player prop odds tool can help you find the best NHL odds across legal sportsbooks in your area!
At the time of writing, there were no goal-scorer props available. Once they pop up, I’m going to back Strome to score. He potted a hat trick against the Islanders on Tuesday and was prolific on the shooting front, firing six on goal. The -150 odds are too pricey, which is why it’s a three-star pick. 
However, there aren’t as many props available as rosters are more up in the air than a helium balloon. Strome hit the Over in the last five games, averaging 3.2 shots per game. He also has at least two shots in five straight against the Pens, and with players avoiding injury like the plague, he’ll have more time and space to let loose. A winning $10 bet at DraftKings will yield a $6.67 profit. 
🔢  Dylan Strome player prop bet odds
Hitting the Over in five of the previous seven games, Rakell has recently been a reliable pick. If that condensed sample size isn’t enough to convince you, the Pens forward secured at least three shots in four of the previous five games against the Capitals. Plus, I don’t see the Caps jumping in front of shots like they usually would. bet365 offers the best odds (+125) of our best sports betting sites, and a winning $10 bet will profit $12.50. 
🔢 Rickard Rakell player prop bet odds
As Strome is one of the hottest Caps, I’m backing him to notch a helper, too. While Strome has just one assist in the last four games, he had six in the five games beforehand. He leads the Caps in assists with 52 and should have more freedom in the season finale to create some magic. The plus-money odds (+105) at bet365 sweeten the deal, where a $10 bet would profit $10.50.
🧪 Want to make your own SGP? Check out our NEW parlay calculator to get the best odds for any same-game parlay.
🛒 Shop around for the best Capitals vs. Penguins odds from our best sports betting apps.
🛜 Game already started? You can still get in on the action with our best live betting sites.
Opening odds via BetMGM.
Looking to bet on the NHL today? Here are our best NHL betting sites as determined by our expert team at Sportsbook Review, along with our best sportsbook promos ahead of today’s game.
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