Capitals vs Rangers Prediction 12/23/25 NHL Picks Today
NY Rangers (18-16-4) vs. Washington Capitals (19-12-5)
December 23, 2025 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: Washington Capitals -170 / NY Rangers 142; Over/Under: 5.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The New York Rangers and Washington Capitals meet Tuesday in NHL action at the Capital One Arena. Here’s a Capitals vs Rangers Prediction. This article will include a Capitals vs Rangers Pick.
New York Rangers Betting Preview
The New York Rangers beat the Flyers, lost to the Predators, and they play the Islanders next. The Rangers have lost 6 of their last 9 games.
The New York Rangers are averaging 2.5 goals per game and are scoring 18.7 percent of their power play opportunities. Artemi Panarin leads New York with 13 goals, Adam Fox has 23 assists, and Mika Zibanejad has 107 shots on goal. Defensively, the New York Rangers are allowing 2.68 goals per game and are killing 81.1 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Igor Shesterkin has allowed 74 goals on 807 shots faced, while Jonathan Quick has given up 16 goals on 252 shots.
Washington Capitals Betting Preview
The Washington Capitals lost to the Red Wings, beat the Maple Leafs, and they play the Devils next. The Capitals have lost 5 of their last 6 games.
The Washington Capitals are averaging 3.17 goals per game and are scoring 14.7 percent of their power play opportunities. Tom Wilson leads Washington with 17 goals, John Carlson has 21 assists, and Jakob Chychrun has 125 shots on goal. Defensively, the Washington Capitals are allowing 2.56 goals per game and are killing 76.8 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Logan Thompson has given up 51 goals on 668 shots faced, and Charlie Lindgren has allowed 36 goals on 320 shots.
Why the Washington Capitals will win
- The Capitals have won each of their last eight home games after coming off overtime.
- The Rangers have lost nine of their last 10 games against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Capitals have covered the puck line in eight of their last nine games against Eastern Conference opponents after coming off overtime.
- The Rangers have failed to cover the puck line in six of their last seven games.
- The Rangers have lost the third period in each of their last six games against opponents on a losing streak.
Why the New York Rangers will win
- The Rangers have won each of their last five games as road underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Capitals have lost five of their last six games.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in each of the Rangers’ last 12 games.
- The Capitals have lost the third period in seven of their last eight games against Metropolitan Division opponents when trailing after the second period.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Capitals’ last nine home games against Metropolitan Division opponents have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Each of the Rangers’ last 10 Tuesday games have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Four of the last five night games between two teams from the Metropolitan Division have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in seven of the Capitals’ last eight home games against the Rangers.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Rangers’ last five road games against the Capitals.
Washington Capitals Player Prop Facts
- Aliaksei Protas has scored a goal in each of the Capitals’ last four games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- John Carlson has recorded at least one assist in each of the Capitals’ last 10 Tuesday games against Eastern Conference opponents at Capital One Arena.
- Nic Dowd has scored nine career goals against the Rangers – most against any opponent (including playoffs).
New York Rangers Player Prop Facts
- Artemi Panarin has scored at least one goal in five of the Rangers’ last six games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Artemi Panarin has recorded at least one assist in each of the Rangers’ last seven road games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Alexis Lafreniere has scored eight career goals against the Capitals – equal-most against any opponent (including playoffs).
Matchup/League Facts
- The Washington Capitals rank 3rd in the league for goals against per game this season (2.56).
- The Washington Capitals rank 29th in the league in power play percentage this season (14.71%).
- The New York Rangers rank T31st in the league for goals per game this season (2.50).
- The New York Rangers rank 7th in the league for goals against per game this season (2.68).
Capitals vs Rangers Prediction
The Capitals are getting the benefit of the donut at home where they’ve played their best hockey, and they’ve won 4 straight games against the Rangers. However, the Capitals have been stuck in the mud offensively and aren’t a team I’m excited to back in the favorite role. The Rangers have also been road warriors all season, where they have 13 wins. With the way the Caps are playing right now, I’ll gladly side with the Rangers as road dogs, something we’ve done a lot this season.