Rangers Eye 2-0 Edge After Convincing Game 1 Win
New York Comfortably Favored Per Capitals vs Rangers Betting Odds
The New York Rangers will attempt to take a 2-0 advantage when they host the Washington Capitals in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference First Round at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday. The Capitals vs Rangers betting odds see the hosts moderately favored at -285 on the moneyline.
New York got two goals from its fourth line, including Matt Rempe’s second-period icebreaker. Artemi Panarin scored the game-winner as part of a three-goal second period in its 4-1 win at MSG in Game 1. Igor Shesterkin made 20 saves, helping the Presidents’ Trophy winners take a 1-0 advantage in the best-of-7 series.
Martin Fehervary scored Washington’s lone goal, and goalie Charlie Lindgren stopped 27 shots. The Capitals, who were 28th in the NHL in goals (220) and had a minus-37 goal differential during the NHL regular season, managed just 18 shots at 5-on-5 in Game 1.
Here’s the Game 2 preview for anyone interested in Capitals vs Rangers betting.
Capitals vs Rangers 
Records: Washington Capitals (40-32-11) at New York Rangers (56-23-4)
Day/Time: Location: Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
Streaming: ESPN, MSG, Monument Sports
Dominant Depth
So much was made of Panarin’s outstanding 120-point regular season but the Rangers’ depth has been an unheralded factor all season. It was the difference in the NHL scores.
Panarin and fellow star forward Chris Kreider each scored, but so too did Rempe and fellow fourth-line forward Jimmy Vesey. That continues the trend where nine Rangers scored double-digit goals and five struck for at least 20 goals led by Panarin’s 49.
New York isn’t likely to lose when its fourth line scores a single goal, especially with its outstanding star power and Shesterkin rolling in goal. But the fact three of New York’s four lines produced a goal will take some pressure off its forward group, especially since Panarin was held to zero goals and only two points in its seven-game series loss to the New Jersey Devils last season.
The longer standout players are held off the scoresheet, and especially goalless, the more potential that has to become a focal point in the series.
At this point, it may be a discussion topic for the Washington side of the Capitals vs Rangers betting conversation. Washington’s leading scorer Dylan Strome had just one shot, and forwards Alex Ovechkin and T.J. Oshie each were minus-1 with zero shots on goal in Game 1.
Capitals vs Rangers H2H
Rangers’ Role Reversal
New York was propped up all season by its third-ranked power play and was mediocre at 5-on-5 during the regular season. The Rangers finished with a plus-1 goal differential at 5-on-5 and the 22nd-best Expected Goals percentage (49.0) per their NHL stats.
But in Game 1, the Rangers dominated at 5-on-5, scoring all four of their goals at that strength and outshooting Washington 24-18.
Maybe coach Peter Laviolette cleaned some things up between the regular season and the postseason, but more likely the Rangers are the beneficiaries of an opponent that is even worse at 5-on-5. Washington was 28th in the NHL in 5-on-5 Goals-For percentage (44.9) and had a minus-32 goal differential at 5-on-5.
The Rangers may have trouble going toe-to-toe with other more dominant possession teams they seem likely to see in the not-so-distant future. But for now, New York can feel good about its even-strength game against an opponent that was fighting to keep up in Game 1.
Power Outage
All five goals were scored at 5-on-5, a surprising fact given each team’s struggles at even strength, their powerful play with the man advantage, and the fact there were 46 combined penalty minutes in Game 1.
New York, which scored 65 power-play goals and converted on 26.4% of its man advantages during the regular season, went 0 for 2 on the power play, with each opportunity coming in the first period where momentum was up for grabs. The Rangers generated five shots on goal on the power play but didn’t get any super-dangerous looks at Lindgren.
Perhaps more alarming is how Washington earned four power plays yet produced only three shots on Shesterkin.
The Washington power play, which ranked 19th in the NHL in power-play percentage yet scored on 27.2% of its regular-season opportunities since Jan. 2, was 0 for 4 in Game 1. Three of Washington’s missed chances came in the scoreless first period, plus it failed on a momentum-crushing, zero-shot effort less than two minutes after Fehevary scored to cut New York’s lead to 3-1 midway through the second.
If you’re interested in Capitals vs Rangers betting for Game 2, the under seems like an almost certainty, especially if both sides are going to struggle with the man advantage.
You’ll have to pay some extra juice since the over is plus-money at +105. But it’s hard to see how this game tallies over 5.5 goals. Neither side will generate much offense since there isn’t likely to be six-man advantages for this NHL hockey game on Tuesday.
Prediction
If Game 1 is any indication, this will be a short series full of low-scoring games.
Rangers 3, Capitals 1
Capitals vs Rangers Betting Odds
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