Madison Square Garden plays host to an enticing showdown as the Washington Capitals take on the New York Rangers. NBC Sports Washington will showcase this divisional matchup, and the action gets going at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, November 24.
Washington Capitals at New York Rangers Odds
The Rangers are 12-11 straight up (SU) and have earned 5.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. That early-season winning percentage is a welcomed improvement compared to what the team did during last year’s regular season (34-48). 13 of the team’s 23 matches have gone under the total, while nine have gone over and none have pushed. The team is 9-3 SU at home this season.
New York’s converted on 20.3 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 23rd overall, and it’s successfully killed off 77.0 percent of all penalties.
As a team, New York has been penalized 4.2 times per game overall this season, and 5.2 per game over its last five at home. The team has been forced to stave off opposition power plays for just 8.4 minutes per game over its last five matchups, in total.
Averaging 30.1 saves per game with a .920 save percentage, Henrik Lundqvist (8-10-2) has been the primary goalkeeper for the Rangers this season. Lundqvist did just play yesterday, however, so the Broadway Blueshirts may choose to rest him and instead turn to Alexandar Georgiev (4-2-2 record, .911 save percentage, 2.94 goals against average).
Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad will both be offensive focal points for the Rangers. Kreider (20 points) has put up 12 goals and eight assists and has recorded two or more points on seven separate occasions this year. Zibanejad has seven goals and 12 assists to his name and has recorded a point in 13 contests.
On the other side of the ice, Washington is 12-10 straight up (SU) and has lost 1.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. A total of 11 of its outings have gone over the total, while eight have gone under the total and just two have pushed. Washington’s 5-5 SU as the away team this season.
Washington has converted on 28.6 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s good enough for sixth-best in the league. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 26th overall and it’s successfully killed off 75.3 percent of all opponent power plays.
Washington’s skaters have been whistled for penalties 4.0 times per game in total this season, and 3.0 per game over their last five games. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 8.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Braden Holtby (28.3 saves per game) has been the primary choice in the net for Washington. Holtby owns an 8-8-3 record, and has registered a .913 save percentage and 2.86 goals against average this year.
Alex Ovechkin (16 goals, 10 assists) and Nicklas Backstrom (six goals, 19 assists) have been the top playmakers for Washington and will lead the attack for the visiting Capitals.
Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers Betting Predictions
NHL Tip: SU Winner – Capitals, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Trends
The under has hit in three of New York’s last five outings.
Penalties and power plays could prove to be key in this game. The Capitals are 5-2 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 9-6 in games where they’re in the box for fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Rangers are 4-2 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 8-6 when total penalty minutes are in the single digits.
Washington is 1-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while New York is 4-0 in shootouts.
New York skaters have managed 11.2 takeaways per game over its last five home games, an improvement over its season average of 7.7 takeaways per game (ranked 14th).
Washington is averaging 3.8 goals per game over their four-game winning streak.
Washington has managed 6.8 takeaways per game over its last five road games, a drop-off from its season average of 8.6 takeaways per game (ranked eighth in the NHL).
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