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Washington vs. Rangers: NHL Match Prediction
Washington continues its home series and will play the Rangers in the US capital on January 4. Spencer Carbery men failed to start 2025 with a win and lost to Minnesota, although they were leading in the score. The Cops broke their terrible losing streak by beating Boston on their home ice. The teams met each other at the end of October, and the Capitals confidently beat their opponents. What will this match be like? Read our prediction for it
Command Analysis
Washington Capitals
USACurrent form
Washington started 2025 as the sole leader of the East. The team from the US capital has 53 points in 38 games and is in first place, ahead of New Jersey by two points. The hosts have three games in reserve, so they can easily make a handicap from the Devils if they continue to win. The Capitals continue to alternate losses and victories after a successful series of games on home ice. On the road, Alexander Ovechkin team lost to Boston (1:4), won in Canada against Toronto (5:2), and the day before they could not cope with the onslaught of Detroit (2:4), but after returning home they confidently won against the Bears (3:1). In the first game in 2025, the Caps could not cope with Minnesota, although they were leading during the match (3:4, B).
The Capitals periodically have problems with converting their chances, but gradually everything is getting back to normal, and the hosts' leader is just getting into shape. Alexander Ovechkin started his performances without any warm-up after returning to action, scoring three goals in four games. The Vashiki captain is approaching Wayne Gretzky record and has already scored 18 goals.
Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren regularly replace each other at the last line of defense. The goalies have blocked only 90.4% of shots and often let their partners down. Right now, the goal line is the hosts' weakest point. Nevertheless, the "lice" defenders earn their money well, so on average, the "capitals" concede only 2.63 times per season.
Disqualifications and injuries
Sonny Milano, Nicklas Backstrom and TJ Oshie will not take part in the upcoming fight.
Interesting trends for betting
- Washington is averaging just 28 shots per game.
The Capitals don't shoot a lot, but they convert 13 percent of their shots.
- The Capitals earn 8.26 minutes of penalty time per match.
The hosts are often sent off, but play well in the minority and cope with many of their opponents' attempts
New York Rangers
USACurrent form
The Rangers have slipped so much that they are now in the basement of the Eastern Conference standings and occupy only 14th place in the conference, although not so long ago they were fighting for the leadership. The New York club has only 35 points after 37 starts, while the "cops" are five points behind Ottawa, which is in eighth place. Peter Laviolette charges played extremely poorly in December and won only three victories in the last month of last year. The Blueshirts finished 2024 with crushing losses to New Jersey (0:5), Tampa (2:6) and Florida (3:5) on the road, but they finally won in the last game. Artemi Panarin team scored two goals against Boston and was able to hold on to the necessary result until the final siren (2:1).
Igor Shesterkin just recently signed a long-term contract with the visitors and became the most expensive Russian player in the NHL. The goalie got injured, so Jonathan Quick will take over the role of the Rangers' first goalie. The veteran has not been on the ice very often this season. However, he managed to reflect 91.32% of shots on goal and make two shutouts in 13 starts.
Artemy Panarin has seriously slowed down in terms of implementation after a successful start to the season. "Khlebushek" has long since left the top ten most productive hockey players in the league and is only on the 27th line. The Russian has 39 effective actions (16+23) and against the background of the team weak results, he is not showing the level of play that fans expect from him.
Disqualifications and injuries
Matt Rempe and Igor Shesterkin will not help their partners in the capital.
Interesting trends for betting
- The Rangers are winning 53.8 percent of their faceoffs.
The visitors are doing well at the point and winning face-offs more often.
- The team receives an average of 9.05 minutes of penalty time.
Peter Laviolette men are sent off more than four times per game on average.
Trends
Bet 1st period: total over 1.5 goals
In the last four games involving Washington, the first period has been productive.
1.73Bet 3rd period: Washington will score
The Capitals have scored in the third period for four games in a row
1.38Tip and bets
Washington stumbled in the game against Minnesota, but was no worse than its opponent in terms of the quality of the game. The Capitals could have won, but they were not credited with a goal in the third period, which could have been the key one. In general, Alexander Ovechkin team is in excellent shape, and the captain himself is ready to continue the pursuit of the "great record". As for the guests, it is difficult to believe in the Rangers in matches against the league giants. New York still has a lot of problems, first of all, Igor Shesterkin injury is a concern. We do not think that Peter Laviolette charges will be able to beat the Caps.
Prediction - Washington win with Asian handicap (0) for 1.73
Bet on individual total
Washington is scoring 3.63 goals per game this season and rarely leaves the ice without at least three accurate shots. In the previous six games on home ice, the hosts have scored at least three times. The Rangers' defense is weak, and without Igor Shesterkin, it will be even more difficult for them to contain Alexander Ovechkin powerful attack. We believe in the attack of the team from the US capital.
We bet on Washington individual total over 2.5 goals with odds of 1.60
Total Bet
The teams play quite effectively against each other and not long ago had a bright match in the US capital, scoring eight goals between them. Washington is very good in attack, but the home team goalkeepers do not save their partners too often. The Rangers are left without their main goalkeeper and must look for their luck in the future. We expect at least six accurate shots from the teams. Let play a bet on the total over goals.
We take the total over 5.5 pucks with a coefficient of 1.70
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