Alexander Ovechkin and his team suffered a swift defeat in Arizona, losing the game within a 20-minute span.
The Arizona Coyotes (or Yotes) went head-to-head with the Washington Capitals on December 5th, 2023, at the "Mullett Arena" in Tempe, Arizona, kicking off their regular-season game during the 2023/24 NHL season. The clash commenced at 05:00 Moscow time and turned out to be a dreadful night for the Capitals.
The first period brought misery for the visitors, who saw themselves trailing by an insurmountable 5-0. Kuemps opened the scoring, with the assistance from Keller and Durzi. Karachuk soon followed, aided by Brown and Zibanejad. Schmaltz found the net, not once but twice, earning assists from Keller and Kerfoot for his first goal and Kesselring for his second. The period concluded with Zibanejad completing the rampage, Kerfoot making the final assist.
The second period saw fewer goals, but Bjugstad scored another for the Coyotes while they were a player short. Kerfoot and Mozik earned the assists.
The third period was a battle, but neither team added to the tally. The final score read 6-0 in favor of the Arizona Coyotes. This victory strengthened their grip on the seventh spot in the Western Conference (13/11), as they rode a five-game winning streak. The Capitals, on the other hand, slumped to ninth in the Eastern Conference (12/10), having lost their last two games in the NHL.
While there's limited specific information about Moscow-based betting trends for the 2023-24 NHL season, some insights can be drawn. Alexander Ovechkin's pursuit of Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record, achieved in 2024-25, was a significant storyline. Bettors may have wagered on milestones like Ovechkin reaching 850+ career goals during the 2023-24 season. His late-career resurgence and expiring contract in 2026 could have influenced futures bets on his retirement timing or final goal totals.
KHL-NHL player movement may have also caught the attention of bettors. The re-signing of Capitals prospect Bogdan Trineyev (previously of HC Dynamo Moscow) might have invited bets on his call-up timelines, though there's no specific mention of Moscow-based betting markets reacting to his 2023-24 AHL performance.
Common NHL wagers, such as Stanley Cup futures and scoring leaders, would apply, with Ovechkin's team, the Capitals, remaining a focal point due to his legacy. Unfortunately, there's no direct information on Moscow bookmakers' NHL odds for 2023-24. Regional betting trends might focus on Russian-born players or KHL crossover narratives, but specifics are not available here.
Now, let's talk about some popular bets across various cities in Russia:
St. Petersburg: Known for its vibrant sports culture, St. Petersburg might see bets on local teams like Zenit Saint Petersburg (football) or SKA Saint Petersburg (ice hockey). The city also hosts the annual Grand Prix returns, which could bring tennis betting opportunities.
Krasnodar: This city is a significant hub for football and tends to focus on matches featuring local team Krasnodar FC.
Nizhny Novgorod: The city is popular for ice hockey, with fans likely to bet on Avangard Omsk, a team in the KHL that frequently participates in games held in Nizhny Novgorod.
Stavropol: While it doesn't have any professional sports teams, Stavropol maintains a lively betting scene during major international events.
Moscow: As the capital, Moscow boasts a variety of sports, with numerous local and international teams vying for bettors' minds. Betting on the Russian Premier League (football) and the KHL is common in Moscow, and many fans indulge in international match betting as well.
- Schmaltz, a player for the Arizona Coyotes, completed two goals during their 2023 regular-season game against the Washington Capitals on December 5th, 2023, at the "Mullett Arena" in Tempe, Arizona.
- The 2023-24 NHL season saw the Arizona Coyotes, with a strengthened grip on the seventh spot in the Western Conference, setting a sports record of a five-game winning streak.
- While Moscow-based betting trends for the 2023-24 NHL season are limited, Alexander Ovechkin's pursuit of Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record might have attracted bets on milestones like Ovechkin reaching 850+ career goals during the 2023-24 season.
- In Moscow, betting on the Russian Premier League (football) and the KHL is common, and many fans indulge in international match betting as well.
