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The Washington Capitals (39-14-8) meet the New York Rangers (31-26-4) Wednesday at Madison Square Garden. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET (TNT / truTV / Max). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Capitals vs. Rangers odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: Capitals lead 2-0
The Capitals won 5-3 in the first meeting at Capital One Arena on Oct. 29 as a moderate underdog (+139), while Washington picked up a 7-4 win as a big favorite (-171) on Jan. 4, also in the nation’s capital. The Over cashed in each of the meetings. This is the first battle in New York this season.
Washington won a wild 5-4 game in a shootout Monday as the Ottawa Senators, cashing as a moderate favorite (-135) as the Over (6) easily hit. The Caps halted a 3-game losing skid at home with the SOW. The Over has connected in 9 of the past 11 games since Jan. 30.
While the Caps lit the lamp 5 times, LW Alex Ovechkin was blanked with a minus-1 rating and 5 shots on goal, as he remains stuck on 884 goals. He needs 10 goals to tie, and 11 to break, Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record. He has scored 3 goals vs. the Rangers this season and has 45 career goals in 75 games vs. New York. He’s at +115 to score on Tuesday.
The Rangers enter with a pair of back-to-back 4-0 shutout wins behind both goaltenders Jonathan Quick and Igor Shesterkin. Quick blanked the Nashville Predators Sunday with 34 saves, while Shesterkin kicked aside all 21 of the shots he faced against the rival New York Islanders Monday.
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Capitals at Rangers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:03 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Capitals -120 (bet $120 to win $100) | Rangers +100 (bet $100 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Capitals -1.5 (+200) | Rangers +1.5 (-250)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: +100 | U: -120)
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Capitals at Rangers projected goalies
Charlie Lindgren (13-10-3, 2.70 GAA, .898 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Igor Shesterkin (21-21-2, 2.86 GAA, .906 SV%, 4 SO)
Lindgren last appeared Feb. 27 against the St. Louis Blues, allowing 4 goals on just 18 shots in a loss, halting a 2-game win streak. He went 2-1-0 with a 3.36 GAA and .846 SV% in 3 starts in February. Lindgren has not faced the Rangers this season.
Shesterkin is finally back to .500 following his 21-save shutout of the Islanders last time out on Monday. He has won 3 of his past 4 starts, allowing a total of just 7 goals on 114 shots in the span, good for a .939 SV%. Shesterkin allowed 4 goals on 45 shots in a 5-3 loss in Washington in his only start against the Caps this season.
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Capitals at Rangers picks and predictions
Prediction
Rangers 3, Capitals 2
Moneyline
The RANGERS (+100) are a solid play at even-money. New York enters with back-to-back shutout victories behind both of its goaltenders.
It will be a tall order to shut out the Capitals (-120), and it’s likely that Washington is able to get on the board. However, Washington is 1-3-0 in the past 4 games, and it cannot be trusted on the road against the resurgent Blueshirts.
Puck line/Against the spread
The Rangers +1.5 (-250) are way too expensive if you require a little bit of insurance. You cannot risk 2 1/2 times your potential return, as that’s just way too much risk and not enough reward.
The Capitals -1.5 (+200) also cannot be trusted. Washington is just 1-5 in the past 6 games as a favorite on the puck line, winning outright just 3 times outright during the stretch.
PASS.
Over/Under
UNDER 6 (-120) is the lean, but go with a half-unit play at best.
The Over is 9-2 in the past 11 games for the Capitals, so tread lightly. But, those 2 Under results have occurred in the past 4 outings.
And, the Rangers have back-to-back shutout wins, with the total going low in 3 in a row.
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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