The New York Rangers and Washington Capitals open their 2021-22 NHL regular seasons Wednesday at Capital One Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Rangers vs. Capitals odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.
The Rangers added a little sandpaper this past offseason, picking up RW Ryan Reaves. He is questionable to play due to a leg injury, however. The Blueshirts won two of four appearances last season in D.C.
The Capitals were already going to be without C Nicklas Backstrom due to a hip injury, and now LW Alex Ovechkin (leg) is a huge question mark for the opener, too. Both players skated Tuesday.
Rangers at Capitals odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:45 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Rangers +110 (bet $100 to win $110) | Capitals -133 (bet $133 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Rangers +1.5 (-250) | Capitals -1.5 (+180)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +110 | U: -135)
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Rangers at Capitals projected goalies
Igor Shesterkin (16-14-3, 2.62 GAA, .916 SV%) vs. Ilya Samsonov (13-4-1, 2.69 GAA, .902 SV%)
Shesterkin showed well against the Capitals last season, going 3-1-0 with a 2.53 GAA and .924 SV% in his four starts. He was a .500 goalie in 18 home decisions, but he posted a 7-5-3 record with a 2.65 GAA on the road in 2020-21.
Samsonov was actually better last season on the road, too. He had a sparkling 9-1-1 record away from home, but he was just 4-3-0 in seven games at home. That’s a bit misleading, however, as Samsonov did post a strong 2.17 GAA with a .916 SV% at home, while he had a 3.01 GAA and .894 SV% on the road.
Rangers at Capitals odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Rangers 4, Capitals 2
Money line
The RANGERS (+110) are worth a look as short ‘dogs on the road against the Capitals (-133), who are expected to be shorthanded. While the Rangers are just 2-8 in the past 10 trips to D.C., you can ignore that with Backstrom out and Ovie likely to join him in street clothes.
Against the spread
Rangers +1.5 (-250) is a little on the expensive side, costing you two-and-a-half times your potential return. That’s too much for a little bit of insurance. I like them straight up, and that’s the best value. AVOID.
Over/Under
UNDER 6.5 (-135) is the lean here. Again, with Backstrom out, and Ovechkin a good bet to sit out, the Caps will not be firing on all cylinders. As it stands, the Under is 27-13-4 in the past 44 meetings in D.C. The injury situation, and the trends, each point to the Under.
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