In this article we will formulate a Rangers vs Capitals prediction for this NHL game on Sunday, April 5th at Madison Square Garden in New York. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
New York Rangers Betting Preview
The New York Rangers are 32-36-9 this season after they defeated the Red Wings by a score of 4-1 in their last game. New York scored the first four goals in the game, but they allowed a goal with 33 seconds left to ruin the shutout. The Rangers were out shot by a total of 32-20, won 60.7% of the face-offs, and went 1-2 on the power play in the game. New York got goals from Chmelar and Perrault (3), while Quick stopped 31 out of 32 shots, which was a .969 save percentage.
Prior to that game, New York lost to the Canadiens by a score of 3-2, but did beat the Devils by a score of 4-1 before that. The Rangers have won four of their last five games and they are currently last in the Metro standings with 73 points. New York has scored 2.82 goals per game and they have allowed 3.09 goals against per game, while also going 24.1% on the power play and 78.7% on the penalty kill this season. Mika Zibanejad has led NY with 33 goals and 39 assists, while Vincent Trocheck has added 15 goals and 35 assists. The projected starting goalie for New York is Igor Shesterkin, who is 24-17-6 with a 2.53 goals against average and a .912 save percentage this season.
Washington Capitals Betting Preview
The Washington Capitals are 39-29-9 this year after they defeated the Sabres by a score of 6-2 in their last game. Washington had their lead cut to 3-2 in the first period, but they scored once in the second and twice in the third to seal the win. The Capitals were out shot by a total of 39-28, won 48.4% of the face-offs, and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Washington got goals from Leonard, McMichael, Protas, Strome, Wilson, and Chychrun, while Thompson stopped 37 out of 39 shots, which was a .949 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Washington lost to the Devils by a score of 7-3, but did beat the Flyers by a score of 6-4 before that. The Capitals have won four of their last five games and they are currently sixth in the Metro standings with 87 points. Washington has scored 3.14 goals per game and they have allowed 2.95 goals against per game, while also going 18.0% on the power play and 79.7% on the penalty kill this season. Alex Ovechkin has led Washington with 31 goals and 30 assists, while Tom Wilson has added 29 goals and 28 assists. The projected starting goalie for Washington is Charlie Lindgren, who is 9-7-3 with a 3.29 goals against average and an .886 save percentage this year.
Why the New York Rangers will win
- The Capitals have lost five of their last six games as road favorites.
- The underdogs have won eight of the Capitals’ last 12 games.
- The home team has covered the puck line in each of the Rangers’ last seven games.
- The Capitals have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last five night games following a home win.
- The Capitals have lost the third period in each of their last nine road games against Metropolitan Division opponents when trailing after the second period.
Why the Washington Capitals will win
- The Rangers have lost 11 of their last 12 games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Capitals have won five of their last six games against the Rangers.
- The Capitals have covered the puck line in four of their last five games.
- The Rangers have failed to cover the puck line in three of their last four home games on the second leg of a back-to-back against the Capitals.
- The favorites have won the second period in each of the last six games between the Capitals and Rangers.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Rangers’ last 10 home games on the second leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Each of the Capitals’ last seven games as favorites following a home win have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Each of the last six Sunday games at Madison Square Garden have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Capitals’ last 12 games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Rangers’ last six games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
New York Rangers Player Prop Facts
- Adam Fox has recorded at least one assist in each of the Rangers’ last six games against opponents who are playing on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- Mika Zibanejad has scored at least one goal in each of the Rangers’ last four games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
Washington Capitals Player Prop Facts
- Tom Wilson has scored at least one goal in four of the Capitals’ last five games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Alex Ovechkin has recorded at least one assist in each of the Capitals’ last six games as road favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
- The New York Rangers rank 6th in the league in power play percentage this season (24.10%).
- The New York Rangers rank 30th in the league for shots per game this season (25.3).
- The Washington Capitals rank 30th in the league in short handed goals allowed this season (11).
- The Washington Capitals rank 5th in the league for Period 3 goals scored per game this season (1.24).
Rangers vs Capitals Prediction
Washington comes into this matchup after winning four of their last five games and they are making a late push for the playoffs. The Capitals are 15-18-4 on the road this year, while the Rangers are 13-19-7 at home. New York has also won four of their last five games and they have allowed one goal in each of those four wins. Both teams are on a back to back, but the Rangers have the advantage with Shesterkin in net. Take New York here.