The first-place Washington Capitals (24-6-5) head to the Prudential Center to face off against the second-to-last place New Jersey Devils (11-17-5) at 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Capitals-Devils sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.
Capitals at Devils: Projected starting goalies
Ilya Samsonov vs. MacKenzie Blackwood
Samsonov, a former first-round pick, is filling in for Braden Holtby and has been awesome for the Capitals. He is 8-2-1, including seven quality starts, and Samsonov’s .918 save percentage and 2.38 goals against average are better than Holtby’s .909 SV% and 2.82 GAA.
Blackwood is coming off an impressive 26-save effort in the Devils’ 3-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks Wednesday. The win pushed his record to 10-9-4 but Blackwood ranks just 28th in GAA (2.77) and 32nd in SV% (.910).
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Capitals at Devils: 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 at 7 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Capitals 6, Devils 2
Moneyline (ML)
On one hand, the Devils have played well in their past two games, winning both, and are going for their first three-game win streak of the season.
On the other hand, the Capitals are coming off a 3-0 loss against the Columbus Blue Jackets—they are 4-1 in away games coming off a loss—but are well rested with their last game being played four nights earlier, on Monday. Bet a relatively cheap CAPITALS (-208) moneyline for an easy win.
Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
A little riskier than the moneyline but a CAPITALS (-1.5, +135) puck line wager is too juicy to pass up. The Capitals have won four out of the last five games against the Devils and all four Capitals wins were by two or more goals.
Also, the Devils have been pasted far too often this season to have any confidence in a +1.5 (-161) wager on them. Fifteen of the Devils’ 17 losses came by more than two goals.
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Capitals to win in regulation, overtime or a shootout returns a profit of $13.50.
Over/Under (O/U)
I like, but don’t love, the OVER 5.5 (-133) in this game. BetMGM knows the Over is enticing here hence the -133 price. If you’re inclined to bet a total, the Over is the play because the Capitals rank second in goals scored, are 22-13 against the Over/Under this season, and the Devils are tied for the fifth-most goals allowed in the NHL.
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