Atlanta Thrashers vs. Washington Capitals
Free NHL Pick: Atlanta Thrashers (+115 odds)
Thu October 22nd 2009 7:05p
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The Atlanta Thrashers are returning home tonight after a successful 3-1-1 road trip, improving their record to 4-1-1 overall, and they now have a chance to get a statement win over the Washington Capitals.

The Thrashers are greatly improved defensively this season, as they are allowing 2.33 goals per game, allowing exactly two goals in four of their last five games after opening the season with a 6-3 win in their only home game thus far. Atlanta remains potent on the offensive end, averaging 3.50 goals, so if they continue to defend well and get solid goaltending from Ondrej Pavelec (2.37 GAA, .929 save percentage) and Johan Hedberg (2.00, .952), this is a dangerous team.

The Capitals are 4-2-2 overall and 1-1-1 on the road, but while this team can score on anyone, they continue to have problems defensively. The Caps ate allowing 2.88 goals per game, and average that rises to an unacceptable 3.33 on the road, and they have gotten unsteady goaltending from both Jose Theodore and Simeon Varlamov. Granted, Theodore had been suffering from back spasms and is now healthy enough to play, but he had a 4.93 GAA vs. Atlanta last year.

We look for the Thrashers to continue their hot start as home underdogs here.

NHL Free Pick: Thrashers +115