The New York Rangers (44-21-11) wrap up a 3-game road trip Sunday against the Washington Capitals (34-33-9). Puck drop from Capital One Arena is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET (TNT). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Rangers vs. Capitals odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Rangers were on the short end of a 3-2 OT loss on the road against the Buffalo Sabres Friday night. New York has had a power outage on offense in the first 2 games of the road trip, totaling just 3 goals. The Under is on a 4-1-1 run for the Blueshirts, while going 8-3-1 in the last 12 contests.
The Capitals are mathematically alive for a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, but time is running out. Washington has 77 points with 6 regular-season games remaining, and it sits 7 points back of the Pittsburgh Penguins for the final playoff spot in the East.
Washington won the first 2 meetings in this series, but the Rangers exacted a little revenge with a 5-3 win on March 14.
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Rangers at Capitals odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:02 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rangers -130 (bet $130 to win $100) | Capitals +110 (bet $100 to win $110)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rangers -1.5 (+190) | Capitals +1.5 (-250)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Rangers at Capitals projected goalies
Igor Shesterkin (34-13-7, 2.53 GAA, .914 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Darcy Kuemper (21-24-6, 2.75 GAA, .912 SV%, 5 SO)
Shesterkin allowed 2 goals on 31 shots in Thursday’s 2-1 loss in New Jersey, but obviously he received very little offensive support. Still, he was 8-3-0 with a 2.08 GAA and .932 SV% with a SO in 11 starts in March. That includes a 28-save effort in a 5-3 win over the Caps on March 14.
Kuemper coughed up 4 goals on 33 shots in his most recent start Thursday at Tampa Bay in a 4-1 loss. He is winless in his last 3 starts, and was just 4-5-2 with a 2.63 GAA and .920 SV% in 11 March outings.
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Rangers at Capitals nickname picks and predictions
Prediction
Rangers 4, Capitals 2
Moneyline
The RANGERS (-130) have picked up 6 wins in the last 8 games when playing on a day of rest, and they’re 5-2 in the last 7 contests inside the Metropolitan Division.
The Capitals (+110) are skidding at the worst possible time, winning just once in the last 7 games, while going 1-4 in the last 5 against teams with a winning overall record.
Puck line/Against the spread
The RANGERS -1.5 (+190) are worth a look on the moneyline. The Capitals +1.5 (-250) are struggling mightily, while New York is smack-dab in the middle of a battle for the top spot in the Metropolitan Division.
In New York’s last 7 wins, the Rangers have won by at least 2 goals in 5 of those outings. If you like the Blueshirts to win, you should like them to cover the puck line, too.
Over/Under
UNDER 6.5 (-110) is the lean, but go lightly.
The Under is 4-1-1 in the last 6 games overall for the Rangers, while going 5-0-1 in the last 6 contests on the road. The Under is also 5-1 in the last 6 games inside the Metropolitan Division.
The Over has dominated for the Caps lately, but the Under is 5-2-1 in the last 8 games when Washington is playing on 2 days of rest.
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