Don’t miss out on the NHL showdown between the Capitals and Rangers. The game is starting at 1:00 ET on ESPN+, and it’s hosted by the Rangers at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. Get ready to place your bets! The over/under goal line for this matchup is currently at 6 goals, and the Rangers are favored to win at home against the Capitals.

WASHINGTON CAPITALS VS NEW YORK RANGERS BETTING PICK

The Pick: New York Rangers -1.5

This game will be played at Madison Square Garden at 1:00 ET on Sunday, January 14th.

WHY BET THE NEW YORK RANGERS:

  • The Rangers enter this game as 1.5-goal favorites and in our projections and we anticipate them winning by a score of 4-3.
  • Take the Rangers on the moneyline
  • On the spread, we like Capitals (+1.5)

Will the Capitals Defense Show Up on the Road?

Through 40 games, the Capitals have an overall record of 20-14-6 and are in 11th place in the Eastern Conference. In the Metropolitan Division, they are in 6th place with a record of 11-7. On the road this year, Washington has gone 9-7-2.

Over their last ten games, the Capitals are just 3-7 and have gone 2-3 in their last five games. As the underdog this season, Washington is 11-13-4, and they have been the underdog in 28 of their 40 games.

Washington comes into the game with a puck line record of 17-23 this season, including going 2-1 against the puck line in their last three games. Overall, the Capitals have 13 losses by more than one goal compared to just seven wins by multiple goals.

So far this season, the Capitals have been the underdog in 28 games, going 15-13 against the puck line in those games. Their average scoring margin as the underdog is at -1.2 goals per game.

The average goal total for Washington’s games is sitting at 5.5. The average over/under line for the season is 6.1. The Capitals come in with an over/under record of 15-24-1.

Across the Capitals last three road games, the team averaged 2 goals per game while allowing 4. Their record vs the puck line in these contests was 1-2, while going 1-2 straight-up.

When looking at their offense, the Capitals have an average of 2.4 goals per game this season, positioning themselves 31st in the NHL. In terms of shots on goal per game, they are ranked 31st in the league. So far this year, the Capitals are 5-4 in games they have had more shots on goal than their opponent. They are 15-10 in games with fewer shots on goal.

Washington’s current leading scorer is Dylan Strome. This season, he has 15 goals, which puts him 55th in the NHL. Strome also comes into the game with 10 assists.

The Rangers defense is currently 26th in goals allowed. Opponents are averaging 28.9 shots per game against New York. In terms of shutouts, they come into the game ranked 19th with 2 shutouts.

Goalie Darcy Kuemper gets the start and has made 21 starts this season. His record at this point is 10-10, and his save percentage is 0.718%.

Is a Home Win Possible for the Rangers?

At the halfway point of the season, the New York Rangers find themselves in third place in the Eastern Conference and first in the Metropolitan Division. Over their last ten games, the Rangers have gone just 4-6 and have dropped three straight games. On the season, New York is 26-13-2.

When playing at home, the Rangers have gone 13-6-0 this season and have been favored in 33 of their 41 games. Against other teams in the Eastern Conference, New York has gone 14-9 this season.

At home this season, the Rangers have gone 7-12 vs. the puck line, and their average scoring margin is +.4 goals per game. So far, they have gone 19-22 vs. the puck line on the year, including going 1-4 vs. the puck line in their last five games.

Coming into this game, New York has gone 12-21 vs. the puck line as the favorite, and they have 15 wins by multiple goals. In their last three games, the Rangers have gone 0-3 vs. the puck line, and their puck line record at home is 4-6 in their last ten games.

For the season, the average number of goals per game in matchups featuring New York is 6.2. The season’s average over/under line is currently at 6.1. The Rangers come in with an over/under record of 21-17-3.

In their last three games away from home, the Capitals have a straight up record of 1-2 while going 1-2 vs. the spread. The team averaged 2 goals per game in this stretch.

On offense, the Rangers are averaging 3.3 goals per game which is 14th in the NHL. In terms of shots on goal per game, they are 15th in the league. The New York offense is ranked 4th in power play goals. As for shorthanded goals, they find themselves at 20th in the NHL.

New York’s leading scorer is Artemi Panarin. So far, he has 26 goals which is 5th in the NHL. In addition to his goal scoring, Panarin has 32 assists this season.

In terms of defense, the Rangers head into the game ranked 26th in goals allowed. On average, opponents are taking 28.9 shots per game against New York. So far, they are 19th in shutouts, achieving 2 shutouts.

Goalie Igor Shesterkin gets the start and has made 26 starts this season. His record at this point is 16-10, and his save percentage is 0.845%.