Washington Capitals at New York Rangers odds, picks and predictions
The Washington Capitals (17-9-5) take on the New York Rangers (23-8-1) Wednesday at Madison Square Garden. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Capitals vs. Rangers odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Caps went into the holiday break with a 2-1 shootout loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. It snapped a 3-game winning streak. After a rough start, the Capitals have climbed back to 4th in the division and hold 1 of the Wild Card spots in the East. They're doing it with LW Alex Ovechkin mired in a season-long slumber with just 6 goals in 31 games. They're holding strong with defense and goaltending, ranking 6th in the league with 2.68 goals allowed per game.
The Rangers won 4 of 5 heading into the break with a 4-3 overtime win over the Buffalo Sabres Saturday. They are doing it via the power play as their unit leads the NHL converting 31.1% of the time. LW Artemi Panarin is tied for 5th in the league with 44 points (18 goals, 26 assists). The Rangers were shut out in Washington 4-0 Dec. 9.
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Capitals at Rangers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:11 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Capitals +180 (bet $100 to win $180) | Rangers -225 (bet $225 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Capitals +1.5 (-140) | Rangers -1.5 (+115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)
Capitals at Rangers projected goalies
Darcy Kuemper (8-6-2, 2.90 GAA, .900 SV%) vs. Igor Shesterkin (13-7-0, 2.86 GAA, .906 SV%)
Kuemper has been confirmed the starter, but Charlie Lindgren has played well enough to split the starter ice time. Kuemper was solid in his last 3 starts, stopping 90 of 95 shots for a .947 SV%. Lindgren was between the pipes in the 4-0 shutout Dec. 3, stopping all 31 shots. Kuemper went 2-2-0 with a 3.03 GAA and .906 SV% in 4 starts against the Rangers last year.
Shesterkin has not been the lockdown goalie yet this season. He went through a stretch where he allowed 15 goals in 3 games earlier this month. Shesterkin won 3 straight into the holiday break, allowing 6 goals on 85 shots for a .929 SV%. He stopped 25 of 29 shots in the Dec. 3 loss in Washington.
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Capitals at Rangers picks and predictions
Prediction
Rangers 3, Capitals 2
Moneyline
The Rangers are tough at home at 11-4-0. If Lindgren, whose brother is a defenseman for the Rangers, were between the pipes, I would probably take a shot at the +180 for the Capitals. They still have a chance to win if they can keep it a low-scoring affair, but I have no interest in the Rangers' ML.
I look for a big effort from "Ovi". He had 4, 6, 4, 5, 7 and 3 shots on goal heading into the mini break. I'll take ALEX OVECHKIN OVER 3.5 SHOTS (-110).
Puck line/Against the spread
While the Rangers are 11-4-0 at home, they are just 5-10 on the puck line at home. The Caps are 8-5-1-1 overall on the road, and I like them to keep this close.
Take the CAPITALS +1.5 (-140).
Over/Under
The total dropped from 6 to 5.5 Wednesday morning, and I still like the Under, but not nearly as much as I did at 6. This Under would be 4-3 in the last 7 meetings. The Caps are 31st in the league at 2.39 goals per game, and the Rangers are tied for 12th at 3.34. They just do their damage on the PP.
LEAN UNDER 5.5 (+100).
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