Take #53. Oilers over Capitals
(NHL) Edmonton vs. Washington,
Money Line: -124.00 Edmonton (Away)
Result: Win
The surprising Washington Capitals look to continue their winning ways when they return from the Thanksgiving break and play host to the struggling Edmonton Oilers on Friday afternoon. Since starting the season with only one victory in their first five outings, the Capitals have posted a 9-1-1 run and are riding a five-game winning streak thanks to Wednesday's thrilling 4-3 overtime comeback victory over the Buffalo Sabres. After Tom Wilson's late third-period goal forced overtime with the goalie pulled for the extra attacker, Dylan Strome played the hero. The Oilers arrive in the U.S. capital on the heels of a third consecutive loss, Wednesday's 6-3 defeat against the Carolina Hurricanes. Unlike the previous two outings in which they surrendered a 2-0 edge, the Oilers trailed 4-0 in the first period. Edmonton won the first two games after a coaching change resulted in Kris Knoblauch being handed the reins, but has followed that positive bump by dropping every outing on the current road trip that ends in Washington. Goaltending and team defense has been a huge problem all season, and has played a big part in the losing skid. The Oilers have surrendered 17 goals in three games, capped by the Carolina loss in which captain Connor McDavid was minus-3 and Leon Draisaitl was minus-4. Despite Edmonton's troubles, we think they do well here and come together as they really need a win, and we will roll with the Oilers here.