Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers Prediction, NHL Odds
The New York Rangers are looking to turn things around and get on a roll, but they’ll have to go through the Washington Capitals, first.
These teams are an even split at -110 on the moneyline. The total is set at 6.0 goals on the NHL odds.
Capitals vs. Rangers Betting Analysis
It was a tight season series between these teams, last year. The Rangers took two of three games, including a win in extra time. New York just edged the Caps 12-11 in combined goals. Sports Interaction bettors are clearly looking at the current standings, as 85 per cent are backing the Capitals. The O/6.0 is seeing 83 per cent of the action.
The Capitals are a bettor’s dream, this season. The Caps are 8-2 against the spread, covering in three of four road games. Goals haven’t been hard to come by, as Washington has hit the Over in eight of 10 games, including three of four road games.
New York has struggled to produce offence throughout the lineup, this season. The Rangers have missed the Over in four of their last five games and have only hit it twice at home. They’ve been a little better at covering, going 6-3 ATS.
Washington Capitals
Washington is one point back from first place in the Eastern Division, but they come into this game off a 5-3 loss to the Boston Bruins on Monday. John Carlson, Zdeno Chara and Daniel Sprong all scored for the Capitals, while rookie Vitek Vanecek made 28 saves on 32 shots.
Vanecek has taken over the reins of the Caps’ crease after Ilya Samsonov landed on the COVID-19 list. Vanecek has gone 5-1-2 with a 2.94 goals against average and a .913 save percentage. Samsonov recorded a win and an overtime loss in his two starts, but has an ugly 3.36 GAA and .868 SV. Letting Braden Holtby walk in free agency during the off-season was a sign that Washington thought Samsonov was ready to be a starter, but with Vanecek playing the way he is, Samsonov will be forced to wait in the wings until the rookie falters. A goaltending controversy could be brewing in D.C.
New York Rangers
Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider and Kevin Rooney all picked up goals to help the Rangers to a 3-1 win over Pittsburgh on Monday. It was a much needed win for a New York team that sits at the bottom of the Eastern Division. There’s hope on Broadway that disgruntled defenceman Tony DeAngelo essentially being kicked off the team will spark the Rangers to some more wins.
Panarin has been carrying the offence for the Rangers and leads the team in points (12), goals (5) and assists (7). It hasn’t been enough though, as New York has failed to win consecutive games this season. Igor Shesterkin has looked better since DeAngelo’s departure. He has stopped 48 of 51 shots faced to win his last two starts. In five starts this season, Shesterkin is 2-2-1 with a 2.41 GAA and .906 SV.
WAS
NYR