Two clubs that are facing each other for the fourth and final time this season, the New York Rangers and the Washington Capitals meet at Capital One Arena for a divisional matchup. NBC Sports Network will showcase the game, which gets underway at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 28.
New York Rangers at Washington Capitals Odds
Washington (-260) is currently favored over New York (+220), and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at an even 6 goals. The line for betting the total stands at -120 over, +100 under.
The Capitals are 45-31 straight up (SU) and have earned moneyline bettors 9.4 units this year. That winning percentage, ranked first in the Metropolitan Division so far this season, is a slide from what the team managed during last year’s regular season (55-27). Through 76 regular season matches, 43 of its games have gone over the total, while 31 have gone under and just two have pushed. The team’s 26-11 SU at home this year.
Washington has been able to convert on 23.1 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that’s good enough for fifth-best in the league. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated 18th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 80.1 percent of all penalties.
Washington, as a collective unit, has been penalized 4.1 times per game overall this season, and 4.8 per game over its last five home outings. The team’s had to stave off opponent power plays for just 8.0 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, overall.
With a .906 save percentage and 27.5 saves per game, Braden Holtby (31-19-4) has been the best option in goal for the Capitals this season. If they decide to rest him, however, head coach Barry Trotz could roll with Philipp Grubauer (14-19-19 record, .923 save percentage, 2.33 goals against average).
Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov will both spearhead the attack for the Capitals. Ovechkin (83 points) has tallied 45 goals and 38 assists and has recorded two or more points on 22 different occasions this year. Kuznetsov has 24 goals and 51 assists to his name and has notched at least one point in 44 games.
Over on the other bench, New York is 33-43 straight up (SU) and has lost 9.3 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. Through 76 regular season contests, 41 of its games have gone over the total, while 31 have gone under and just four have pushed. New York’s 12-24 SU as the road team this season.
New York has scored on 21.9 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s good enough for 10th-best in the league. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked eighth overall and it’s successfully killed off 82.5 percent of all penalties.
New York’s skaters have been penalized 3.5 times per game this season, 3.2 per game over their past five outings total, and 3.2 per game over their last five road outings. The team’s had to stave off opponent power plays just 7.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Henrik Lundqvist (.915 save percentage and 2.94 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for New York. Lundqvist is averaging 29.1 saves per game and has 25 wins, 34 losses, and six OT losses to his credit.
For the visiting Rangers, the offense will run through Mats Zuccarello (16 goals, 35 assists) and Vladislav Namestnikov (22 goals, 25 assists).
New York Rangers at Washington Capitals Betting Predictions
NHL Pick: SU Winner – Capitals, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Trends
The over has hit in three of Washington’s last five games.
Washington’s attempted 28.9 shots per game overall this season (ranked 31st in the NHL), and 29.7 over their last 10 games.
The extra-man advantage could play a key role in the outcome of this game. The Rangers are 11-16 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 21-26 when they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Capitals are 14-8 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 26-15 when total penalty minutes are in the single digits.
New York is 3-5 in games decided by a shootout this season while Washington is 3-1 in shootouts.
Washington is ranked 18th in the NHL with 7.0 takeaways per game. That figure’s trended down recently, however, as it has created 5.5 takeaways over its last 10 games and 5.4 takeaways over its last five.
New York skaters have created 9.0 takeaways per game over its last five road games, right in line with its season average of 8.8 takeaways per game (ranked fifth in the NHL).
Washington may hold the upper hand if it’s a tight one late. The team’s 19-12 in games decided by one goal, while New York is 15-17 in such games.
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