The New York Rangers (58-24-2-5) and the Washington Capitals (50-29-8-4) are back at it on Monday night after splitting the first two games of this series in Gotham. The scene shifts back to D.C., where the Caps will hope to take the 2-1 series edge.
ODDS ANALYSIS
Not surprisingly, this game is basically a pick 'em. The swing has proven to be around 35 cents for home ice advantage in the playoffs, and the Rangers have gone from -174 in Game 2 to very slight -105 underdogs in Game 3.
GOALIE REPORT
Henrik Lundqvist did everything he needed to do in Game 2 of this series. He had to face 28 shots in the final two periods of the game, and though he did ultimately allow two goals, he didn't make the mistake of giving up the late goal he did in Game 1.
Braden Holtby might have gotten the loss in Game 2, but he’s quietly had two very good games thus far in this series. He has a .940 save percentage to date through the two games played on the road, and he could end up being a big difference-maker in Game 3 as well.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"He's one of the best players in the game, no question. There aren't many players that can do what he does out there, and it's a challenge for us every game to stop him. To be able to shoot it that hard on your knees, he definitely surprised me a little bit here. You have to be ready for anything." – Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist on Alexander Ovechkin and the goal he scored in Game 2
SITUATIONAL BETTING
The Capitals had killed off 17 straight penalties in the playoffs before allowing a power play goal to the Rangers in Game 2. Still, the fact that Washington got out of the first period, one in which it took three penalties, with just one goal allowed was a triumph, and it kept it in the game until the third.
PROP TALK
Ovie is just all over the place right now. He scored a goal from his knees in Game 2, giving him four straight games with at least a point. It's tough to bet against Ovechkin at the moment, even though he’s going to be a huge favorite against anyone he runs up against in prop bets, but we’re willing to lay the vig to get him on our side.
ANALYSIS & PREDICTION
The Capitals were good enough to hang around in both Games 1 and 2 on the road, and we think they have a legitimate shot to steal both of these games here in the capitol.
Ovechkin is playing out of his mind at the moment, something that can't be said about Rick Nash and Martin St. Louis, who have a combined one goal through seven playoff games played to date.
If there’s one goalie in the world we would want in a spot like this, it would be Lundqvist, but in the end, the price here is too good to pass up on Washington as a very slight home favorite for Game 3.
Washington 3, New York 1
The NHL lines for this Monday game were first available at BookMaker Sportsbook. The Capitals were -110 favorites, while the total was installed at 5. Minute-by-minute puck-lines, totals, moneylines and props are available for this game using the live betting platform at BookMaker.
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone or tablet with BookMaker's new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here, and start wagering today! Game 3 of this series between the New York Rangers and the Washington Capitals will commence on Monday, May 4, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. ET at the Verizon Center in Washington D.C. The contest will be broadcast nationally on NBC Sports Network.
