Capitals vs. Rangers Pick
Will bettors profit from a win by the Washington Capitals at the New York Rangers tonight? The puck drops at 8PM ET.
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Rangers are a -125 favorite to win on the moneyline. The total sits at 5.5 goals.
Washington enters with a 22-13-2-0 record after a 3-0 loss Saturday at the Golden Knights. New York is 19-13-1-3 following a 3-2 home loss Saturday against Toronto. The Capitals won the first meeting this season by a count of 4-2 on their home ice Dec. 8. Washington is 3-2 in five meetings since the start of last season, while the under has gone 3-2.
The Capitals were led by Dmitry Orlov with four shots on goal in the shutout loss at Las Vegas. Washington totaled 26 shots on goal as a team. Defensemen John Carlson and Christian Djoos were both minus-2. Goaltender Braden Holtby made 25 saves on 28 shots. The Golden Knights scored all three of their goals in the first period and proceeded to hold Washington at bay the rest of the game.
JT Miller and Jimmy Vesey each scored a goal for the Rangers in the loss to the Maple Leafs. Henrik Lundqvist stopped 34 of 37 shots on goal. New York trailed 2-0 early in the second period and 3-1 at the end of the second before the Miller goal at the 8:35 mark of the third period made things interesting.
New York is 6-1 in its last seven games after scoring two or fewer goals in its previous game. The over is 4-0 in the last four Washington games playing on three or more days of rest.
Washington on rest is scary with its offensive firepower. After losing to surprising Las Vegas and not registering a goal, look for the Capitals to come out firing on all cylinders tonight. I like Ovechkin to get in the scoring column with a goal or two to guide Washington to victory.
NHL DAILY PREDICTION: WASHINGTON CAPITALS +105