The New Jersey Devils (12-15-4) and Washington Capitals (21-7-4) meet Friday night to close out a two-game set. TPuck drop at Capital One Arena will be shortly after 7 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Devils-Capitals odds and lines, with NHL picks and predictions.
Devils at Capitals: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:45 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Devils +175 (bet $100 to win $175) | Capitals -200 (bet $200 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Devils +1.5 (-155) | Capitals -1.5 (+125)
- Over/Under: 6 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Devils at Capitals: Projected starting goalies
Scott Wedgewood (3-4-2, .918 SV%, 2.59 GAA) vs. Ilya Samsonov (6-1-0, .908 SV%, 2.48 GAA)
Wedgewood coughed up 5 goals to these Capitals in his last road start (March 9), but he has rallied and has logged a .933 SV% in three starts since. That stretch includes a fine 40 saves on 42 shots performance against the Pittsburgh Penguins in a win March 18.
Samsonov was on the COVID-19 list and then the Caps’ taxi squad for much of January and February after making just two starts at the start of the season. The second-year NHL’er owns a .920 SV% in seven games since Feb. 28. Samsonov owns a .918 SV% over 14 career games at home.
Special NHL Betting Promotion!
Bet $1 on either team’s money line, WIN $100 (in free bets) if either team scores a goal in the game. Betting offer available in CO, IA, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN, VA and WV. Place your legal, online bets at BetMGM. New customer offer, terms and conditions apply. Bet now!
Devils at Capitals: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Capitals 3, Devils 2
Money line (ML)
Washington is 15-3-1 since Feb. 16. Recent possession and expected-goal metrics lean a bit toward New Jersey, but the Devils are playing their fifth game in seven days. The Caps figure to also have an edge in goal, perhaps an underestimated edge.
BACK THE CAPITALS (-200).
Play our new free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Against the spread (ATS)
PASS. The recent New Jersey analytics, the bounce-back nature of Game-2s, and the rest situation bring in too much gray area.
Over/Under (O/U)
The strongest part of the play for both teams in recent successes has been in preventing scores. The strongest play here is the UNDER 6 (-110); this price may well require a quick-trigger play.
Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1369]