New York Rangers vs Washington Capitals Expert Picks
My Rangers vs Capitals prediction is a New York win on Friday, with the Rangers' defence keeping this one under 6.5 goals.
The New York Rangers visit the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena at 7 p.m. ET, and they arrive on a four-game winning streak. The Capitals are 2-1 after beating Pittsburgh 5-3 in Wednesday's home opener.
I'm backing New York because they're the tougher team to score on right now. The Rangers are allowing just 1.6 goals a game, Igor Shesterkin has a .926 save percentage, and Washington have been outshot in all three of their games.
I'm also taking the under 6.5 goals. The Rangers have allowed two goals or fewer in four straight games, and four of their five games have finished with six goals or fewer.
For more player bets across tonight's slate, check out my best NHL props before puck drop.
Key Stats and Trends
- The Rangers have won four straight, allowing just five goals in that run.
- New York have scored first in four of their five games.
- Washington have been outshot in all three games, 93-75 overall.
- Four of the Rangers' five games have finished with six goals or fewer.
Rangers Form
New York opened with a 3-0 loss in Boston, then reeled off wins over Tampa Bay, Detroit, Utah and the Islanders. Shesterkin has a .926 save percentage in four starts, and Dylan Garand made 22 saves for a shutout in Detroit.
Alexis Lafrenière had a hat trick in Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Islanders. Mika Zibanejad has 5 points, and Adam Fox has 5 assists with a point in four of his five games.
Joseph Veleno is
expected to be out until at least October 9 with a lower-body injury, according to CBS Sports.
Capitals Form
Washington won 5-2 in Carolina, lost 3-1 in Tampa Bay, then beat Pittsburgh 5-3 at home on Wednesday. Their goalies have a .924 save percentage, with Logan Thompson winning both of his starts.
Alex Tuch has three goals on 11 shots, and Pierre-Luc Dubois and Tom Wilson have 4 points each. Alex Ovechkin is still looking for his first goal of his final season, with three shots in three games.
Defenceman Matt Roy remains day-to-day with a lower-body injury and hasn't played since October 3.