Kyle Palmieri, Nico Hischier, and the New Jersey Devils are set to face off against John Carlson, Alex Ovechkin, and the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena in a Metropolitan Division showdown. NBC Sports Washington will broadcast the game, and the opening face-off is at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 16.
New Jersey Devils at Washington Capitals Odds
The Capitals (-325) are being chosen as the favorites over the Devils (+265) and oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 7 goals (-125 over, +105 under).
Washington is 31-16 straight-up (SU) and has earned 6.3 units for moneyline bettors this season. That winning percentage, ranked first in the NHL in this young season, is an improvement over the 48-34 record from last year’s regular season campaign. Among its 47 games this season, 29 have gone over the total, while 18 have gone under and none have pushed. The team’s 14-9 SU at home this season.
The Capitals have converted on 20.8 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked third overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 84.0 percent of all penalties.
Averaging 25.9 saves per game with a .899 save percentage, Braden Holtby (18-14-4) has been the primary goalkeeper for the Caps this year. If head coach Todd Reirden decides to give him the night off, however, Washington may turn to Ilya Samsonov (13-4-4 record, .925 save percentage, 2.11 goals against average).
In the other locker room, New Jersey is 17-29 straight up (SU) and has lost 8.1 units for moneyline bettors this year. A total of 25 of its contests have gone over the total, while 20 have gone under the total and just one has pushed. As the visiting team, the Devils are 10-13 SU so far.
The Devils have converted on just 15.2 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that’s ranked 26th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 19th overall and it’s successfully killed off 79.5 percent of all opponent power plays.
MacKenzie Blackwood (26.5 saves per game) has been the primary choice in the net for New Jersey. Blackwood owns a 14-20-6 record, and has registered a .905 save percentage and 2.97 goals against average this year.
New Jersey Devils at Washington Capitals Betting Picks
Prediction: SU Winner – Capitals, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- The Capitals are 3-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while the Devils are 2-4 in shootouts.
- The under has hit in three of Washington’s last five games.
- The Caps this season have dished out the ninth-most hits per game in the NHL (23.9).
