Capitals vs Avalanche Picks and Prediction – 11/16/2024

The Washington Capitals (10-4-1, 3rd in the Metropolitan Division) take on the Colorado Avalanche (9-8, 4th in the Central Division) on Friday. Washington recently fell to the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3, while Colorado is riding a three-game winning streak, including a 4-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings. Hit the ice running with our NHL picks.

Washington’s offense, led by Alex Ovechkin, is ranked fourth in goals scored with 62 this season. Dylan Strome has been a reliable contributor, tallying five goals and maintaining a +11 rating. The Capitals’ scoring efficiency shines with a 13.8% shooting percentage, placing them second in the league. However, Washington’s power play struggles significantly, sitting near the bottom with a 12.2% conversion rate, a weakness the Capitals need to address against Colorado’s strong offensive unit.

Defensively, Washington’s strength lies in penalty kill, which ranks fifth in the league at 85.4%. This solid defensive core has allowed only 44 goals, positioning them seventh in goals against. In net, Logan Thompson has held steady with a .906 save percentage and a 2.71 goals-against average. These defensive assets will be crucial in countering Colorado’s offensive firepower, particularly on the Avalanche's power play, which operates at a high 31.6% success rate.

Colorado's offense is dynamic, led by Mikko Rantanen’s team-high 12 goals and Nathan MacKinnon’s seven goals and +4 rating. They rank sixth in total goals, with 59, and the power play has been a consistent threat, converting at 31.6%. The Avalanche’s shooting percentage is 11.3%, and they excel in assists, ranking fourth overall. Offensive depth and versatility make them a challenging opponent for the Capitals, especially if they can exploit Washington’s power play weaknesses.

On defense, the Avalanche have struggled, allowing 63 goals and holding one of the lowest-ranked penalty kills at 72.7%. Goaltender Justus Annunen will need to improve upon his .894 save percentage and 2.64 goals-against average to fend off Washington’s shooters. Colorado’s defensive vulnerabilities, especially on the penalty kill, present a potential Achilles' heel that Washington’s forwards may exploit.

Washington’s balanced offense and strong penalty kill unit give them the edge over a Colorado team with defensive struggles. Expect Washington to control the game tempo and capitalize on Colorado's lapses. Final Score Prediction: Washington Capitals win 4-3.