The New Jersey Devils (15-21-7) pay a visit to the Washington Capitals (30-10-5) at Capital One Arena in a Metropolitan Division last-versus-first contest on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Devils-Capitals odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.
Devils at Capitals: Projected starting goalies
Mackenzie Blackwood vs. Braden Holtby
Blackwood owns a 2.97 GAA and .905 SV. He has been busy, starting 34 of the Devils’ 43 games this season. Blackwood is coming off one of his shakiest starts of those 34: he allowed 5G on 25 SOG against the Rangers Thursday. He had a similar game – stopping just 21 of 26 – against these Capitals Dec. 20.
Holtby has struggled of late and enters Saturday’s home start with a 2.99 GAA and .901 SV. Since Dec. 23, Holtby is 1-4 with an anemic .836 SV. The 30-year-old veteran was sharp in November (2.24 GAA, .928 SV) but has otherwise been off his game in 2019-20.
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Devils at Capitals: Odds, picks and betting tips
Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Saturday at 9 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Washington 3, New Jersey 2
Moneyline (ML)
Penalties don’t figure to be an equalizer for the last-place Devils in visiting first-place Washington. The Caps rank third in the league with an 83.7% PK; New Jersey’s 14.8% mark on the PP ranks 30th. Recent puck-possession stats and some season analytics point to the Capitals being overextended with their scoring (3.6 GPG). New Jersey defense and goaltending is on the other side of the coin. That would indicate the Devils as a play, but I have found better ROIs when not facing elite teams or playing bottom-feeders. WILL LAY OFF THE NEW JERSEY +230 action on the moneyline. (The line has moved quite a bit toward Washington here; those making a play on Jersey would be best suited riding that wave as far as it’ll take you.)
Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
The Devils are 9-12 against the puck line on the road. Washington is the superior team but one tied for the league lead with 15 one-goal victories. WILL PASS ON THE PUCK LINE (WAS -1.5 -106).
Over/Under (O/U)
The UNDER 6.5 -139 is a likable play. Washington’s scoring is down a couple clicks since mid-December. Both starting net-minders have some regression upside.
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