by Rod Pearson
Tuesday, Mar 04, 2025
Game Time: 7:30 pm ET, Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Where to Watch: TNT, MAX, truTV
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline: Capitals -110, Rangers -110; Over/Under: 5.5 goals
Bet365: Moneyline: Capitals -110, Rangers -110; Over/Under: 5.5 goals
BetMGM: Moneyline: Capitals -110, Rangers -110; Over/Under: 5.5 goals
Season Record
Washington Capitals: 39-14-8 (1st place, Metropolitan Division)
New York Rangers: 31-26-4 (5th place, Metropolitan Division)
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Recent Form
Washington Capitals: 5-3-2 last 10
New York Rangers: 7-3-0 last 10
Washington Capitals vs New York Rangers Preview and Analysis
The Capitals are entering this game with 86 points, a 39-14-8 record overall, and they are 20-7-2 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Ottawa Senators in their last game, winning that one at home 5-4 in a shootout. Pierre-Luc Dubois, Martin Fehérváry, Connor McMichael, and Tom Wilson each scored 1 goal for them in that one. Pierre-Luc Dubois led the team in assists with 2 while Pierre-Luc Dubois, Connor McMichael, Lars Eller, and Alexander Ovechkin each led the team in shots on net in that game with 5. Logan Thompson was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 4 goals on 37 shots with 33 saves and a .892 save percentage. Their offense has scored 220 goals this season averaging 3.6 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 161 goals against them allowing 2.6 goals per game.
The Rangers are entering this game with 66 points, a 31-26-4 record overall, and they are 16-13-2 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the New York Islanders in their last game, winning that one at home 4-0. Will Cuylle, J. T. Miller, Artemi Panarin, and Will Borgen each scored 1 goal for them in that one. Will Cuylle, J. T. Miller, Artemi Panarin, Sam Carrick, Zac Jones, Alexis Lafrenière, and Vincent Trocheck each led the team in assists with 1 while Artemi Panarin led the team in shots on net in that game with 6. Igor Shesterkin was the starting goalie in that game and he recorded the shutout as he allowed 0 goals on 21 shots with 21 saves and a 1.000 sv percentage. Their offense has scored 187 goals this season averaging 3.1 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 183 goals against them allowing 3 goals per game.
Capitals vs Rangers Prediction
The current betting odds have the Capitals listed as a pick 'em in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Capitals have looked great in their games this season with their 39-14-8 record overall which has them right at the top of their division in the East with the best record in the entire NHL. They have also been a great road team this year with their 20-7-2 road record. Meanwhile, the Rangers haven't looked great in their games this season with their 31-26-4 record overall which has them in 5th place of their division in the East and out of a playoff spot, but they are still in the race for the Wild Card. They have looked decent on home ice with their 16-13-2 home record this season, but they haven't been a dominant team in a lot of those games. They have looked a lot better lately though, coming off a win over the Islanders in their last one, and they have also been hot as they are 7-3-0 in their last 10 games. They have played really well since coming back from the All-Star break, but they have also beaten up on a lot of weaker teams. The Capitals are only 5-3-2 in their last 10 games and haven't looked great lately, but they snapped their losing streak with a win over the Senators in their last one. They ended up blowing their lead twice in that game and had to go to a shootout, but they got the job done in the end and that bounce back win will give them some momentum coming into this one. The best way to place a bet here is on the Capitals to win this game.
Capitals Rangers Prediction: Our NHL Pick for Wednesday, March 5, 2025 (7:30 pm ET start time) is Capitals 4 Rangers 2.
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NHL Betting Trends
Washington Capitals: 55-36 (-6.5 units) on the moneyline as a favorite. 27-31 (-7.4 units) on the moneyline off a home win. 55-58 (-8.8 units) on the moneyline off a win in their previous game. 104-109 (-9.8 units) on the moneyline against mistake free teams - opponents average 4 power plays/game or less.
New York Rangers: 59-37 (+13.1 units) on the moneyline revenging a loss versus opponent as a favorite. 28-9 (+17.4 units) on the moneyline revenging a blowout loss vs opponent of 3 goals or more. 17-9 (+5.9 units) on the moneyline after playing 3 consecutive home games. 107-70 (+19.3 units) on the moneyline against excellent power play teams- scoring on over 17.5% of their chances.
Key Injuries
Washington Capitals: S. Milano (LW) Out - Upper-body. N. Backstrom (C) Out For Season - Hip. T. Oshie (RW) Out For Season - Back.
New York Rangers: R. Smith (RW) Day To Day - Personal. C. Kreider (LW) Out - Upper Body. A. Fox (D) Out - Upper-body. A. Edstrom (C) Out - Lower Body.
Notable Quotes
“I was going after Giroux for old time’s sake, back to the Philly days. And then Brady just kinda came over and, I don’t know, felt like it needed to happen.” - Tom Wilson on his fight with Brady Tkachuk after their win against the Senators on Monday.
“Yeah, trending in the right direction.” - J.T. Miller on the direction of the team since the 4 Nations Faceoff.
Starting Lineups
Washington Capitals
LW Alex Ovechkin
C Dylan Strome
RW Aliaksei Protas
LD Rasmus Sandin
RD John Carlson
G Logan Thompson
New York Rangers
LW Artemi Panarin
C Vincent Trocheck
RW Alexis Lafreniere
LD K'Andre Miller
RD William Borgen
G Igor Shesterkin
Statistical Leaders
Washington Capitals
Points: D. Strome (60)
Goals: A. Ovechkin (31)
Assists: D. Strome (42)
GAA: L. Thompson (2.32)
New York Rangers
Points: A. Panarin (63)
Goals: A. Panarin (25)
Assists: A. Fox (43)
GAA: I. Shesterkin (2.86)
Coaches:
Washington Capitals: Spencer Carbery (2nd season)
New York Rangers: Peter Laviolette (2nd season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
