In a game that features two teams that are squarely in the playoff hunt, the New York Rangers and the Washington Capitals take the ice at Capital One Arena for a divisional tilt. This one gets started at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, December 8 and it will air live on Sportsnet.
New York Rangers at Washington Capitals Odds
Washington is 17-12 straight up (SU) and has earned 3.0 units for moneyline bettors this season. That winning percentage, ranked 3rd in the Metropolitan Division in this young season, is a regression from the 55-27 record that the team posted during the 2016-17 season campaign. Of its 29 games this season, 16 have gone over the total, while 13 have gone under and none have pushed. This season, the teams 11-5 SU at home.
The Capitals have converted on 22.1 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that places them in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 20th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 78.8 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, the Capitals have been penalized 4.6 times per game overall this season, and 3.2 per game over their last five outings. The team has had to kill penalties for just 7.6 minutes per game over their last five outings, overall.
Averaging 29.2 saves per game with a .921 save percentage, Braden Holtby (15-6) has been the primary option in goal for the Caps this year. If Washington decides to rest him, however, head coach Barry Trotz may go with Philipp Grubauer (2-8-8 record, .893 save percentage, 3.21 goals against average).
The Caps will continue seeking offensive production via Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov. Ovechkin (32 points) has put up 21 goals and 11 assists and has recorded multiple points on six different occasions this year. Kuznetsov has 10 goals and 21 assists to his credit and has recorded a point in 18 contests.
New York is 15-12 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 0.9 units this year. A total of 16 of its matches have gone over the total, while nine have gone under and just two have pushed. The Rangers are 4-5 SU as the away team this season.
The Rangers have converted on 21.5 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 18th overall and it’s successfully defended 80.5 percent of all penalties.
New York’s players have been penalized 3.7 times per game this season, and 2.6 per game over their last five games. The teams been forced to defend opponent power plays just 7.5 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Henrik Lundqvist (2.66 goals against average and .917 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for New York. Lundqvist is averaging 27.3 saves per game and has 13 wins, 10 losses, and two OT losses to his credit.
For the visiting Rangers, the offense will be facilitated through Mats Zuccarello (five goals, 17 assists) and Mika Zibanejad (11 goals, 11 assists).
New York Rangers at Washington Capitals Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Rangers, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- Washington is 2-0 in games decided by a shootout this season while New York is 1-1 in shootouts.
- The over has hit in four of Washington’s last five outings.
- Washington has averaged 3.1 goals per game overall this season, but has upped it to 4.7 per match up across its three-game winning streak.
- Over New York’s last ten games, six of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 4-2 in those games).
