The New York Rangers and the Washington Capitals meet in NHL action from the Capital One Arena on Saturday night. Can the Rangers keep their strong road form going? Or will the Capitals spring the upset? Let’s take a look and give out a Rangers vs. Capitals Prediction.
New York Rangers Team Preview
The New York Rangers come into this game looking to bounce back from a 6-2 loss to the Senators last time out. Artemi Panarin leads the Rangers in scoring with 37 points including team-highs of 16 goals and 21 assists while Chris Kreider has 20 points with 14 goals of his own. Vincent Trocheck has 22 points as well with 16 assists while Mika Zibanejad has 20 points and Erik Gustafsson has 15 points with 26 assists combined between the two. Igor Shesterkin has gone 10-5 with a 2.75 GAA and a .911 save percentage while Jonathan Quick is 7-0-1 with a 2.34 GAA and a .918 save percentage between the pipes for the Rangers this season.
New York Rangers Team Facts
- The Rangers have won each of their last seven games following a road loss.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in each of the Rangers’ last six games.
- The Rangers have won the third period in each of their last four games at Capital One Arena following a road loss.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Rangers’ last seven games against opponents on a losing streak.
Washington Capitals Team Preview
The Washington Capitals come into this one looking to snap a three-game losing skid after a 5-4 shootout loss to Dallas last time out. Alex Ovechkin leads the Capitals in scoring with 15 points including 5 goals and 10 assists while Tom Wilson has 14 points with 8 goals and 6 assists. John Carlson has 14 points with a team-high 13 assists and Dylan Strome has 13 points with a team-high 10 goals for the Capitals. In goal for Washington, Darcy Kuemper has gone 5-6-2 with a 3.22 GAA and an .887 save percentage while Charlie Lindgren is 5-2-1 with a 2.61 GAA and a .924 save percentage and Hunter Shepard is 2-0 with a 2.50 GAA and a .915 save percentage this season.
Washington Capitals Team Facts
- The Capitals have won three of their last four games as underdogs against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The Capitals have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last four home games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in seven of the Capitals’ last eight games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Capitals have lost the first period in each of their last four games after coming off a shootout.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Washington Capitals ranks 32nd in the league in power play percentage this season (8.96%).
- The Washington Capitals ranks 31st in the league for goals per game this season (2.35).
- The New York Rangers ranks 3rd in the league in power play percentage this season (29.73%).
- The New York Rangers are one of three teams to rank in the top 10 for both goals scored and goals conceded per game this season.
Rangers vs. Capitals Prediction
I’m on the Rangers here. The Capitals have fallen and can’t get up and right now, it just feels like the Rangers are just the far better team. I mean they are arguably the best team in the NHL right now and they do have a ton of profit on the road this season. I know a home underdog is tempting, but the Rangers should get the W here.
