Washington Looks To Beat Division Rival New Jersey Again
Washington Is Listed As the Home Underdog With New Jersey Coming To Town
Washington Capitals Try To Make It Three In A Row Versus The Devils
Both the New Jersey Devils and Washington Capitals are looking to shake off some recent struggles as they get together for the third time this season. The Devils-Capitals betting odds list visiting New Jersey as the favorite.
Washington went on the road and topped New Jersey back in November and it was the second consecutive win by the Capitals versus their Metropolitan Division rivals this season with both games coming on the road.
When making hockey predictions for tonight, keep in mind that the Devils are priced at -160 to top the Capitals with Washington coming in at +140.
Max Pacioretty is nearing his 2023-24 season debut for Washington. He has been sidelined for 11.5 months with an Achilles injury. forwards Sonny Milano, T.J. Oshie and Nicklas Backstrom are also out.
For New Jersey, winger Timo Meier is out as are defenseman Dougie Hamilton and forward Tomas Nosek while center Curtis Lazar is questionable.
New Jersey was second only behind the Carolina Hurricanes in the odds of winning the Eastern Conference title but those NHL odds have moved from +550 to +700. Washington’s Eastern Conference odds have gone from +3000 to +5000.
New Jersey is well behind the New York Rangers and the Carolina Hurricanes in the Metropolitan Division odds with Washington ahead of only the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Devils vs Capitals 
Day/Time:
Records: Devils 19-14-2/Capitals 18-11-6
Location: Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
Streaming: Watch Live Sports
Devils Are Finding A Way
New Jersey was a popular under-the-radar pick to make some noise in the Metropolitan Division and perhaps even in the Eastern Conference. However, the Devils would be outside of the playoff structure if the season began today.
The Devils have won eight of their last 14 NHL games despite being outscored 48-45 in those games. It hasn’t helped that New Jersey ranks 23rd in goals-against average during that stretch and that has led to plenty of rumors of the Devils making a trade for a goalie.
New Jersey has allowed at least four goals five times in those 14 games. Keep that in mind when looking at the Devils-Capitals betting odds.
Capitals Look To Go Back-to-Back
It has been a bit of a grind for Washington this season with some key forwards being sidelined and Alexander Ovechkin struggling to score goals. However, the Capitals opened 2023 with a 4-3 road win against Pittsburgh to snap a four-game losing streak.
Ovechkin had a power-play goal in the win as Washington scored four times in the first period and held on for their 11th one-goal win of the season.
The Capitals will look to limit the New Jersey power plays since New Jersey has the best power play in the NHL, converting on 30.3% of its man-advantage opportunities and is fourth in power-play goals per game. Keep that in mind when looking at the Devils-Capitals betting odds.
The total has gone under in six of Washington’s last nine games.
Last Meeting
Nicholas Aube-Kubel had a goal and an assist as Washington jumped out to a 3-0 lead and never trailed in the 4-2 win at New Jersey. The teams were both 0-for-4 on the power play in the game.
It was just the second time in the last eight meetings between the Devils and Capitals that the game landed under the total.
Although Washington has won 6-4 and 4-2 on the road in the first two meetings against New Jersey this season, New Jersey won three of the four games against Washington last season.
Jack Hughes and Erik Haula each had three goals and two assists in the four games against Washington while Dylan Strome led the Capitals with four assists and five points.
Devils vs Capitals Betting Preview
It’s been all or nothing for New Jersey in recent games three of the last four losses coming by at least three goals.
New Jersey has played better at home than on the road. Nine of Washington’s 18 wins have come at home.
Washington is 6-0-1 in the second game of back-to-back contests as the NHL schedule has been giving the Capitals plenty of practice when it comes to playing on consecutive days.
The total has gone under in five of Washington’s last six games with the total set at 6.5 for this matchup. It should be noted that seven of the last nine times New Jersey played at Washington, the game finished over the total.
Washington is 9-3 outright in its last 12 games against Metropolitan Division teams.
Washington’s last three home games all went into overtime. The Capitals haven’t lost in regulation at home since a 5-0 loss to Edmonton on Nov. 24.
New Jersey has won six of its last eight road games and eight of the last 10 matchups versus Eastern Conference NHL teams.
Although each of the two games this season finished as two-goal games, that was a result of late empty-net goals. This could be another game to come right down to the bitter end.
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