[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]
The Washington Capitals (1-3-1) travel to meet the New Jersey Devils (3-1-1) Wednesday at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET (TNT). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Capital vs. Devils odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Capitals were on the short end of a 4-1 score on home ice against the Toronto Maple Leafs Tuesday, and now travel to battle the high-octane Devils with a backup goaltender making his NHL debut. Not good.
The Devils went north of the border Tuesday and dispatched the Canadiens 5-2 in Montreal, and now return to home ice where they’re 1-1-1. One thing that is constant is the Over, cashing in all 5 games for the Devils on the young season.
Stream the NHL all season on ESPN+, with your team’s out-of-market games, exclusive games, originals and more. Get ESPN+ now!
Capitals at Devils odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:42 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Capitals +200 (bet $100 to win $200) | Devils -250 (bet $250 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Capitals +1.5 (-115) | Devils -1.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -125 | U: +105)
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]
Capitals at Devils projected goalies
Hunter Shepard (2-0-0, 2.88 GAA, .885 SV% – w/AHL Hershey) vs. Akira Schmid (1-0-1, 3.30 GAA, .892 SV%)
Shepard was recalled from the Hershey Bears to make his NHL debut, with Charlie Lindgren on injured reserve, and the Caps needing a No. 2 with the back-to-back situation. Shepard was the Jack Butterfield Award winner for the MVP of the Calder Cup playoffs, leading Hershey to a title last season.
It has been mixed results for Schmid, who burst onto the scene in the playoffs last season. He suffered a loss at home against the Arizona Coyotes in his season debut Oct. 13, before bouncing back for a 5-4 OT win over the New York Islanders on the road last Friday.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Capitals at Devils picks and predictions
Prediction
Devils 5, Capitals 2
The Devils (-250) will cost you 2 1/2 times your potential return, if you want to play them straight up. That’s way too risky for not enough reward, even if they are going up against a struggling Capitals (+200) team using a goaltender making his NHL debut.
PASS.
Puck line/Against the spread
The DEVILS -1.5 (-105) at near even-money is a much better value.
New Jersey took care of business by a 5-2 score against Montreal on Tuesday, and I expect similar treatment of Washington on home ice.
The Devils are a bit of a risky play, as Tuesday’s win marks the first time in 5 tries New Jersey covered the puck line as a favorite. So go lightly. However, Washington is horrific, and really struggling to light the lamp.
Over/Under
The OVER 6.5 (-125) is lean, but again, go lightly.
You’ll really need New Jersey to do a lot of the heavy lifting. It is 5-0 to the Over so far in 5 games, including the 2nd end of a back-to-back Oct. 13.
Washington has scored a total of just 7 goals in 5 games, however, or 1.4 goals per game, cashing the Under in 4 of those outings. So there is risk. We’ll need New Jersey to tune up Shepard in his debut to get this across the finish line.
[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1369]