Washington Capitals vs Detroit Red Wings Betting Pick & Prediction 12/29/24

Betting on today’s Capitals and Red Wings game? Catch the action at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, MI, as the Red Wings hosts this showdown at 5:00 ET on ESPN+. The Capitals are favored by -1.5 in a Eastern conference showdown. The game’s over/under is currently at 6 goals.

WASHINGTON CAPITALS VS DETROIT RED WINGS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Detroit Red Wings +1.5

This game will be played at Little Caesars Arena at 5:00 ET on Sunday, December 29th.

WHY BET THE DETROIT RED WINGS:

• In spite of being 1.5 goal underdogs, we anticipate the Red Wings winning this one 4-3.
• We like the Red Wings on the moneyline (+117)
• The Red Wings are also our pick on the spread at +1.5

Will Washington Come Through as Road Favorites?

Washington fell to 24-9-2 after a 4-2 loss to the Hurricanes. The Capitals trailed early, but Alex Ovechkin tied it up with just 44 seconds left in the first, and they took the lead 33 seconds later. However, the Hurricanes responded with three unanswered goals.

As underdogs on the puck line, Washington didn’t cover. The total was set at 6 goals, and the combined score reached exactly that number. All of the Capitals’ scoring came in the first period, while the Hurricanes added an empty-netter with 9 seconds left in the game.

Alex Ovechkin netted his 7th goal of the season on a power play, while Brandon Duhaime followed with his 2nd goal. Ovechkin took 5 shots on goal, and Duhaime had 3. Nic Dowd picked up his 2nd assist of the season, and Dylan Strome added his 13th assist on Ovechkin’s goal.

Washington took 21 shots on goal but struggled with 15 giveaways. The Capitals scored both of their goals in the first period, with Duhaime’s coming just 11 seconds before the intermission.

Despite leading 2-1 after the first period, Washington’s defense struggled, giving up three unanswered goals—two in the second period and one more late in the third. Charlie Lindgren made 41 saves with a 93.2% save percentage, but the Capitals’ defense managed just 2 takeaways and 20 hits.

Will Detroit Win at Home?

Detroit improved to 13-18-4 with a 2-1 win over the Sabres. The Red Wings were -1.5 goal favorites and didn’t cover the puck line, while the total was set at 6.5 goals, with the combined 3 goals falling short of that mark.

After giving up a short-handed goal in the first period, Detroit responded with two power-play goals in the second. Dylan Larkin scored both goals for the Red Wings.

In their 2-1 win over Buffalo, the Red Wings’ offense netted both goals during the second period, with Dylan Larkin scoring his 6th and 7th of the season. Larkin took 4 shots on goal, converting twice.

Detroit fired 23 shots on goal but also recorded 15 giveaways. Both of their goals came on power plays, with Patrick Kane picking up his 6th assist and Lucas Raymond his 10th.

Detroit’s defense gave up the first goal at 11:39 in the first period, but they didn’t allow another, securing a 2-1 win over Buffalo. Cam Talbot made 31 saves with a 96.9% save percentage, while the defense contributed 4 takeaways and 11 hits.