Kaprizov with a favorable matchup against Ducks

Join Daily Faceoff's Nick Martin as he weighs in on the best NHL bets available on Friday night.

Connor McMichael over 2.5 shots on goal (-110 sports interaction) and (bonus) regular win for the Washington Capitals (-105):

Will this be the final game of coach Mike Sullivan's 10-year tenure as Penguins head coach?

While Sullivan is far from the team's only problem, it appears to be time for a new voice in the Penguins' locker room. Pittsburgh ranks 25th in the league with a record of 5-8-2 and has the third-worst goal difference in the league at -17.

Both the eye test and the analysis agree that Sullivan's team was every bit as terrible as their record and goal percentage suggested. The pins are rated at 32.41 SA/60 and 3.45 xGA/60.

I don't expect the Penguins to simply give in to this matchup. Sidney Crosby and Co. will bring their highest level of competition to this rivalry showdown, but it's a tough battle against a Capitals team that performed strongly in all aspects of the game.

The Capitals were able to take full advantage of their 9-3-0 record. They have a goal difference of +14 and lead the league with an expected goal share of 58.87%.

Of the Capitals lines that have played more than 50 minutes together at even strength, the second line of Pierre-Luc Dubois, Connor McMichael and Tom Wilson leads the team in scoring 3.86 expected goals per 60. They do a great job in the offensive zone. and were also effective in transition.

McMichael leads the Capitals with 11.57 shots on goal per 60 and has averaged 8.8 shots on goal over the last five games.

This seems like a good place to continue to support McMichael and the Capitals as they face a Penguins team that has played putrid defensive play all season.

Kirill Kaprizov over 1.5 points (sports interaction +120)

In 69 games under coach Dean Evason, Kaprizov has 102 points in 69 games, and he has recorded two or more points 20 times in his last 50 games.

Kaprizov has taken his game to new levels this season with 24 points in 13 games and has scored more than 1.5 points in nine of 13 meetings so far.

The Ducks are giving Kaprizov an above-average game to continue his absurd performance. They have allowed a league-high 4.09 xGA/60 and would likely have a record closer to that of the San Jose Sharks without the incredible play of Lukas Dostal.

Dostal has a .967 save percentage and +11.3 GSAx in 10 games played this season. Nevertheless, the Ducks allowed slightly more goals per game than the league average (3.00). However, there's a good chance that Dostal will come back down to earth to some extent, and when he does, the Ducks will start allowing significantly more goals against per game.

It is also possible that Dostal has the night off in this match as he has played 10 out of 12 and four games in a row. Look for the Ducks' confirmed starter after the morning skate.