Two squads that have put themselves firmly in the playoff hunt, the Washington Capitals and the New York Rangers take the ice at Madison Square Garden in a Metro Division tilt. NBC Sports Network will broadcast the game, and the puck drops at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, December 27.
Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers Odds
New York (+100) is playing the role of underdog to New York (-120), and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals. The line for betting the total stands at -125 for the under and +105 for the over.
Washington is 22-15 straight up (SU) and has earned 4.7 units for moneyline bettors this season. Through 37 regular season matches, 20 of its games have gone over the total, while 17 have gone under and none have pushed. This 2017-18 Capitals team is 8-10 SU on the road.
Washington has converted on 19.1 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. Its penalty kill is ranked 22nd in the league, and it has successfully killed off 78.9 percent of all penalties.
For the team as a whole, the Caps have been called for penalties 4.4 times per game in the 2017-18 season, 3.8 per game over its past five games total, and 4.0 per game over its last five games as the visiting team. The teams had to defend opponent power plays 10.0 minutes per game over their last five road outings.
Averaging 28.3 saves per game with a .918 save percentage, Braden Holtby (20-8) has been the top option in goal for Washington this year. If it chooses to rest him, however, Washington could go with Philipp Grubauer (2-10-2 record, .898 save percentage, 2.98 goals against average).
The visiting Capitals will be led by Evgeny Kuznetsov and Alex Ovechkin. Kuznetsov has 38 points on 12 goals and 26 assists, and has recorded two or more points in 10 different games. Ovechkin has 23 goals and 14 assists to his creditand has notched at least one point in 21 games.
On the other side of the ice, New York is 19-17 straight up (SU) and has earned 0.1 units for moneyline bettors this season. Through 36 regular season matches, 20 of its games have gone over the total, while 14 have gone under and just two have pushed. The team is 14-9 SU at home this season.
The Rangers have converted on just 19.8 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked sixth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 83.2 percent of all opponent power plays.
Rangers skaters have been called for penalties 3.7 times per game in total this season, and 4.4 per game over their past five games. The teams had to kill penalties just 7.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Henrik Lundqvist (29.0 saves per game) has been the primary selection in goal for the Rangers. Lundqvist has 17 wins, 14 losses, and three overtime losses to his credit and has registered a mediocre 2.61 goals against average and a .921 save percentage this season.
The Broadway Blueshirts will be led on offense by Mats Zuccarello (eight goals, 21 assists).
Washington Capitals at New York Rangers Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Rangers, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- Two of New York’s last ten games have gone to a shootout. The team is 0-2 in those games and 1-3 overall in shootouts this year.
- The total has gone under in three of New York’s last five outings.
- Washington has managed 25.0 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while New York is averaging 31.2 shots per game over its last five home outings.
- Over Washington’s last ten games, seven of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 5-2 in those games).
- Washington skaters have given out the leagues 12th-most hits per game (22.1).
