The set-up: This is an interesting season, as "motiavtion" is a tangible factor with teams playing each other at least twice in every meeting this season. The Penguins are now 1-2 this year after squeaking by the Penguins 4-3 in a shootout on Sunday. Pittsburgh though has seen the total fly "over" in all three games it's played in so far this year and I think that trend of high-scoring games ends here finally. Note that the Pens have seen the total go "under" the number in eight of their last 11 home games after playing to three or more straight "overs," and off a shootout victory.

The pick: Washington is 2-1, and two of its game have flown "over" the number so far, including the OT loss to the Pens last time out. In its first series it hammered Buffalo 6-4 in the first game, before then holding on for a 2-1 win in the second. I expect a similar final combined score in the second game here vs. Pittsburgh. The situational factors all add up to this big early season TOTAL OF THE YEAR opportunity.

The is a 10* TOTAL OF THE YEAR on the UNDER Caps/Pens.