Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals will play their first game of the postseason on Thursday night as they get a visit from the New York Rangers to start the best-of-seven set.
The Capitals won just one of three games against the Rangers during the regular season, but it was a 3-2 victory as a road underdog when the teams last met on March 24. Totals bettors have seen the OVER/UNDER go 0-5-5 in their last 10 matchups.
The Capitals currently sports a record of 27-18-3. The Rangers are 26-18-4. Betting totals have seen the Capitals post a 21-24-3 OVER/UNDER record this season, while the Rangers have gone 16-22-10 against the number.
View NY Rangers vs Washington Odds and Stats.
Betting Line:
The visitors opened as +-126 moneyline underdogs in this one at most online sportsbooks tracked at Odds Shark, including Sportsbook. The total opened at 5 for those preferring over under wagers, watch for the line updates during the day at Sportsbook.
Power Rankings:
The NHL Power Rankings show a disparity between these teams, with the Capitals rated this week at No. 16 and the Rangers sitting at No. 9.
How They Match Up:
Offensively, the game matches up Washington's No. 3-ranked offense (3.1 goals per game) against a Rangers defense that ranks No. 4 at 2.3 goals per game allowed. The Capitals Sportsbook has clicked at a 26.8% rate while the Rangers have a 81.1% rate on the penalty kill.
New York won its last outing, a 4-0 result against the Devils on April 27. Bettors who backed the Rangers at -155 on the moneyline won on the day, and the total score (4) sent UNDER bettors to the payout window.
Last time out for Washington, they were a 3-2 Sportsbook as they battled the Bruins at home. Moneyline bettors who got the Capitals at -102 were rewarded, while the 5 combined goals moved the game UNDER for totals bettors.
New York Rangers Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing Florida are 6-4
After playing New Jersey are 3-7
After a win are 5-5
Washington Capitals Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing Calgary are 3-7
After playing Boston are 7-3
After a win are 8-2
A few Rangers at Capitals trends to consider:
NY Rangers are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of the NY Rangers last 20 games when playing on the road against Washington
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the NY Rangers last 6 games on the road
NY Rangers are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing Washington
Washington is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home
Washington is 11-2 SU in its last 13 games
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Washington's last 20 games when playing at home against NY Rangers
Washington is 6-3 SU in their last 9 games when playing at home against NY Rangers
Next up:
NY Rangers at Washington, Saturday, May 4
