NHL Hockey Betting - Jan 11

Pittsburgh Penguins at Washington Capitals

Tonight's matchup between rivals Pittsburgh and Washington lacks it's usual punch with both sides slumping and the Penguins decimated by injury which will eliminate another Crosby vs. Ovechkin battle.

The Penguins recent skid hit a new low Tuesday night, as the dropped their fifth in a row to just barely hold on to a playoff spot in the East. Following Tuesday's 5-1 thrashing at the hands of the Senators as a -130 favorite, Pittsburgh is 21-16-4 on the season to sit eighth in the East, only one point up on Winnipeg. Pittsburgh's last win came on December 27 and it's not totally shocking with an IR that includes Sidney Crosby, Kris Letang and Jordan Staal. The lone bright spot for the Pens lately has been not losing leading goal scorer James Neal. It was thought Neal would be out for weeks with a broken foot, but it turns out it was just a bad bruise and he was able to gut it out and suit up on Tuesday night.

The Capitals enter Wednesday night's matchup having lost their last two games. They last took to the ice on Monday night when the were whipped by the low-scoring Kings 5-2 as a +120 underdog. Before that game Los Angeles had not scored more than four goals since November 17. Marcus Johansson had a good in the loss with a pair of goals, while Alex Ovechkin was kept off the score sheet. Washington is also down a few important players right now with Nicklas Backstrom doubtful with a head injury that has forced him to miss the last two games and Mike Green is doubtful again after his nagging groin injury flared up against the Kings.

The Pens and Caps have split the season series so far with Pittsburgh winning 2-1 on the road on Dec. 1 and the Capitals recording a 3-2 win in Pittsburgh on Oct. 13. Before losing to Pittsburgh in December the Capitals had won four in a row against the Pens and eight of their last nine. Despite all the firepower these two teams posses the last six matchups between Pittsburgh and Washington have all gone Under the posted total. In tonight's matchup the Caps are a -125 favorite, and the total was set at 5.5.

Pick: UNDER

New Jersey Devils at Edmonton Oilers

Two teams coming off loses also square off in Edmonton tonight when the Oilers play host to the Devils.

New Jersey's journey through Alberta began on Tuesday night when they were ripped by Calgary 6-3 as a -105 favorite. New Jersey's goalies couldn't stop anything in the loss as Martin Brodeur allowed two goals on five shots before getting the hook midway through the first period. Johan Hedberg faired no better, surrendering four goals on nine shots. The Devils actually outshot Calgary 38-14, but received no help from their net minders. Rookie Adam Henrique recorded a Gordie Howe Hat Trick in the loss with a goal, an assists and a fight versus Jarome Iginla.

The injury-riddled Oilers have dropped three in a row after losing to Dallas 4-1 on Monday as a +140 road underdog. With Jordan Eberle, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Tom Gilbert and Ryan Whitney on the shelf the Oilers have only one win in their last seven games. The comforts of home haven't meant a whole lot to the Oilers either lately, with four wins in their last 10 at Rexall Place.

The Oilers are slim -105 favorites tonight while the total has been set low at 5. The last time the Devils and the Oiler clashed last season New Jersey edged Edmonton 4-3. In their last 10 against the Oilers the Devils are 6-3-1. The Under is 4-1 in their last five games between these two teams, while it's 6-2 in their last eight matchups in Edmonton.

Pick: New Jersey 3 – Edmonton 1