Two of the NHL’s best power play teams, the Washington Capitals and the New York Rangers clash at Madison Square Garden for a divisional showdown. The action gets started at 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday, March 26, and you can watch it live on NBC Sports Network.
Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers Odds
Washington (-165) is currently favored over New York (+145), and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at an even 6 goals. The odds for betting that total sit at -115 money on the over and -105 on the under.
Washington is 44-31 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 8.4 units this season. 43 of its outings have gone over the total, while 31 have gone under and just one has pushed. As the away team this season, the Caps are 18-20 SU.
Washington has converted on 23.0 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that places them in the top-5 among NHL teams. Its penalty kill is ranked 19th in the league, and the team’s successfully killed off 79.8 percent of its penalties.
For the team as a whole, Washington has been penalized 4.1 times per game overall during the 2017-18 season, and 3.4 per game over its last five road outings. The team has had to defend opponent power plays just 7.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 27.5 saves per game with a .906 save percentage, Braden Holtby (31-19-4) has been the top option in goal for Washington this season. If it decides to give him a rest, however, the team might turn to Philipp Grubauer (13-19-3 record, .923 save percentage, 2.35 goals against average).
Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov will both spearhead the attack for the visiting Capitals. Ovechkin (81 points) has tallied 44 goals and 37 assists, and has recorded multiple points in 22 different games. Kuznetsov has 23 goals and 50 assists to his name, and has logged at least one point in 43 games.
On the other side of the rink, New York is 33-42 straight up (SU) and has lost 8.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. 41 of its contests have gone over the total, while 31 have gone under and just three have pushed. It’s 21-18 SU at home this season.
New York has converted on 22.3 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that places it in the top-10 among NHL teams. Its penalty kill is also ranked seventh overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.7 percent of all penalties.
New York players have been penalized 3.5 times per game in total this season, and 2.8 per game over their last five at home. The team’s had to stave off opponent power plays just 7.2 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Henrik Lundqvist (29.1 saves per game) has been the top selection in goal for New York. Lundqvist has 25 wins, 34 losses, and six OT losses and has maintained a .915 save percentage and 2.94 goals against average this season.
Mats Zuccarello (15 goals, 35 assists) will lead the offensive counter for the Rangers.
Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers Free Picks
Free Pick: SU Winner – Rangers, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
New York is 3-5 in games decided by a shootout this season while Washington is 3-1 in shootouts.
The over has hit in four of New York’s last five outings.
Washington has attempted 28.9 shots per contest overall this season (ranked 31st in the NHL), and 26.4 in its last five road outings.
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