Rangers New York Eye Commanding Lead For Game 3
Washington Looks To Defend Home Despite Rangers vs Capitals NHL Betting Odds
The New York Rangers will seek a commanding 3-0 series advantage when they face off against the Washington Capitals in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference First Round at Capital One Arena on Friday night. The Rangers vs Capitals NHL betting odds favor New York at -170 as the visitors. The hosts are +142 to win. The over/under is set at 5.5 goals with even odds on each side.
Mika Zibanejad and Vincent Trocheck each had one goal and one assist, and defenseman Erik Gustaffson chipped in two assists for the Rangers, who claimed a 4-3 win over the Caps in Game 2 on Tuesday.
Igor Shesterkin made 22 saves, helping New York take a 2-0 edge in the best-of-7 series.
Washington forward Tom Wilson had one goal and an assist, and goalie Charlie Lindgren stopped 24 shots, but New York continued to keep leading goal scorer Alex Ovechkin off the scoresheet, despite two power-play goals from the Caps.
The scene will shift to Washington, and here are some factors to consider if you’re interested in Rangers vs Capitals NHL betting.
Rangers vs Capitals 
Records: New York Rangers (57-23-4), Washington Capitals (40-33-11)
Day/Time:
Location: Capital One Arena
Streaming: TNT, truTV, MSG, Monumental Sports
The Not-So-Great Eight
Ovechkin led the Capitals with 31 regular-season goals. He is breathing down Wayne Gretzky’s neck for the most goals in NHL history. But The “Great Eight” has been held pointless in the first two games in this series. He has not lit the lamp in five straight playoff games dating back to 2022.
The former Conn Smythe Trophy winner’s goal drought coincides with Washington’s active five-game playoff losing streak, which also dates back to its first-round series loss to the Florida Panthers in 2022. Since they won the Cup in 2018, the Capitals are 4-15 in playoff games where Ovechkin doesn’t score and are 4-5 when he lights the lamp.
The Rangers have done an especially good job of bottling up Ovechkin in both the regular season and playoffs. New York has kept Ovechkin from scoring in seven straight games, including the playoffs, and he has just one goal over his past seven postseason games against the Rangers.
Ovechkin is too good to be held off the scoresheet much longer, especially with Washington’s power play humming at 22.2% in the series — it scored twice in Game 2. If you’re looking for a betting market while assessing NHL lines today, Ovechkin scoring is a nice option.
Scene Shifts to D.C.
The Rangers were dominant on home ice, compiling the second-most victories on home ice in the NHL this season. But New York was also excellent on the road, finishing tied for third-most victories away from MSG (25) this season.
But New York was ahead 2-0 in its first-round series last year against New Jersey, heading home, before dropping four of six in its seven-game series loss. Plus, if you’ve been following NHL playoff scores from across the league, you know this has been the postseason of the home team so far.
Home clubs are 10-4 entering play Wednesday night and boast a plus-10 goal differential.
The Caps have been far superior at Capital One Arena too, sporting a 22-19 moneyline record during the regular season. But Washington still had a minus-3 goal differential on home ice during the regular season and is just 2-5 in its past seven playoff games at Capital One Arena.
Plus, Rangers fans tend to travel well, especially in Metropolitan Division markets, which is something to keep in mind if you’re Rangers vs Capitals NHL betting.
Even Steven
The entire hockey world knew Washington’s only chance of upsetting New York would involve the Caps staying out of the penalty box.
But as expected, the Capitals are getting crushed by the Rangers special teams. New York scored twice on the power play Tuesday, and K’Andre Miller’s game-winning goal was a short-handed marker.
The Rangers do hold a 5-2 goal advantage at 5-on-5, but if you track their underlying numbers, they have been anything but dominant against the Caps at even strength.
New York holds an ever-so-slight 3.11-2.89 advantage in Expected Goals and a slim 94-90 shot-attempts margin at even strength through two games. Plus, the Caps hold a 39-36 edge in scoring chances over the Rangers at even strength.
If you’ve been making NHL picks and parlays bets, you might’ve noticed the stunning shot-attempt differentials around the league. So, in a series this lopsided on paper, Washington has held its own despite dropping the first two.
Still, the Rangers power play was third in the NHL, scoring at 26.4 percent during the regular season, and New York only had a plus-1 5-on-5 goal differential during the year. The Caps will need to be more disciplined on home ice or risk getting quickly run out of the playoffs.
Prediction
If I were Rangers vs Capitals NHL betting, I wouldn’t wager on Washington until I saw it win a game.
Rangers 3, Capitals 2
For NHL betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
