For most of the 2020-21 season, fans and gamblers have been asking, "Where is Alex Ovechkin?" In the past week, the Great Eight has been sighted with a strong performance that has triggered a Washington Capitals run for the East Division's top spot. But the Capitals are not the only resurgent team in the East Division. The New York Rangers jumpstarted their campaign last week under the equivalent of a substitute teacher. Kris Knoblauch won three out of his first four games filling in for regular head coach David Quinn, who was out with COVID protocol. Naturally, some Ranger fans are screaming for a permanent change behind the bench.
New York Rangers at Washington Capitals
When: Sunday, March 28, 2021, 12 p.m. ET
Where: Capital One Arena, Washington, DC
TV: NBC
NHL Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
Rangers at Capitals Bookmaker Wagering Analysis
Washington is going to command most of the NHL betting activity for this matchup. The Capitals are the more respected team and playing on home ice. Fans and gamblers are long to forget about the Capitals' Stanley Cup championship from three years ago. Washington sniper Alex Ovechkin adds to their gambling appeal with casual players. Now the Capitals are hot, and that has everyone looking at them. All of which means they are likely going to be overpriced. New York's recent strong run will have bargain hunters and some Wise Guys thinking of them.
Great Eight Heats Up Capital Gains
Washington enters this game with the hot hand of seven wins in their last eight games. Three of their last four games went under the total. The Capitals now stand at 20-7-4 with 16-13 over the total. Washington is two points behind the Islanders in the East Division. NHL metrics how the Capitals 5th for goal scoring, 8th for the power play, 17th for goals against, and 13th for penalty killing.
Left wing Alex Ovechkin has five goals in his last five games. The Great Eight now totals 14 goals with 11 assists but a minus-five. Center Nicklas Backstrom adds 12 goals, 22 assists, and a plus-two.
Vitek Vanecek has taken the number one goalie slot with a .911 save percentage. By contrast, Ilya Samsonov is at a .908 save percentage.
Rangers Renew Bid for Playoffs
The New York Rangers have won four of their last six games, with three of their previous five going over the total. As a result, the Broadway Blueshirts are now 14-13-4 with 11-18 under the total. New York is four points out of the final playoff spot in the East Division. The Rangers rank 13th in the NHL for goal scoring, 25th for the powerplay, 11th for goals against, and 3rd for penalty killing.
Right wing Pavel Buchnevich leads the Rangers with 11 goals, 18 assists, and a plus-eight. Left wing Artemi Panarin adds eight goals, 20 assists, and a plus-seven. Left wing Chris Kreider brings 16 goals, six assists, and a minus-two. While defenseman Adam Fox has three goals, 18 assists, and a plus-eight. Top goaltender Igor Shesterkin is out until early April with a groin issue. Backups Alexander Georgiev (.897 save percentage) and Keith Kinkaid (.908 save percentage) are not on Shesterkin's level.
New York Rangers vs. Washington Capitals Betting Trends
At Capital One Arena, Washington has a record of 10-4-2. By contrast, the Broadway Blueshirts have a road record of 7-7-1. In this head-to-head series, New York has won five of their last six games against Washington, with five of those six games going under the total. So far, in 2020-21, New York won two out of three visits to Washington as all three of those games went under the total.
New York Rangers at Washington Capitals Bookmaker Free Pick
The Rangers will be getting a good price and have the confidence of recent wins at Washington.
Rangers vs. Capitals Bookmaker Best Bet: New York Rangers
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