The New York Rangers and Washington Capitals had vastly different trade deadlines, but both teams find themselves in similar predicaments as they meet Tuesday at Madison Square Garden. Here's sports betting analyst Scott Cullen's top NHL pick based on the best NHL odds.
The Rangers' quest for a top-two finish in the Metropolitan Division has fallen flat, with the Blueshirts entering Tuesday having dropped seven of their last 11 games to fall 10 points behind division co-leaders New Jersey and Carolina.
And while nine of those 12 games were on the road, the Rangers are no lock to benefit from home-ice advantage against the Capitals. New York is a mediocre 17-11-4 at Madison Square Garden with a meager plus-4 goal margin as it kicks off a five-game homestand Tuesday.
While they're not out of the playoff race, t he Capitals are five points behind the New York Islanders for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with the Buffalo Sabres and Florida Panthers in-between them. And with just four wins in their past 13 games, Washington's playoff hopes look bleak.
Here is our best Capitals vs. Rangers NHL pick (odds via FanDuel; pick confidence is based on a 1-to-5-star scale).
Capitals vs. Rangers pick
When neither team makes an especially strong case for the win, look to the total. And in this case, look to the Under.
Washington has reached a total of six goals or fewer in 10 of 14 games since the All-Star break. One of the exceptions in that time was Feb. 25, when the Capitals defeated the Rangers 6-3 in Washington. The two teams combined for only 53 shots on goal in that game, so we can chalk that result up to puck luck and subpar goaltending.
Meanwhile, the Rangers rank 29th with 2.41 goals per 60 minutes since Feb. 18, landing on a total of six goals or less in seven of 11 games. The additions of veteran scoring wingers Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrick Kane via trade haven't elevated New York's offense at all; Tarasenko has nine points in 15 games, while Kane has two goals and an assists in five contests.
With the Rangers not playing up to their offensive potential and the Capitals staggering to the finish line, the Under is my play for this game. That said, the possibility of the Rangers finally breaking out offensively is what keeps this as a three-star selection.
Check out our latest Norris Trophy odds.
Capitals vs. Rangers best odds
| DraftKings | FanDuel | BetMGM | Caesars | PointsBet |
| Under 6.5 | Under 6.5 | Under 6.5 | Under 6.5 | Under 6.5 |
| -135 | -122 | -125 | -133 | -131 |
FanDuel has the best number on the board among our best sportsbooks, while several others have the total at six, which requires a look at alternative totals for a price comparison. Nevertheless, FanDuel at -122 is just head of BetMGM (-125).
PointsBet, Caesars, and DraftKings are in the -130 to -135 range.
Check out our Rocket Richard Trophy odds and Hart Trophy odds.
Capitals vs. Rangers odds
Check out our Calder Trophy odds.
Capitals vs. Rangers odds analysis
FanDuel opened with the Rangers favored at -178, compared to the Capitals at +146.
Even though 70% of the consensus moneyline wagers have come in for the Blueshirts, the line has s hifted in Washington's direction. The Rangers are now at -170 and the Capitals are at +140.
The total opened at 6.5, with opening odds at -124 for the Under and +102 for the Over. The total dropped to 5.5, briefly, but has since returned to 6.5. There is two-way action on the total, with 50% of the wagers on the Over and 50% on the Under. At 6.5, the price is now -122 for the Under and +100 for the Over.
Capitals vs. Rangers game info
- Date: Tuesday, March 14, 7 p.m. ET
- TV: ESPN, ESPN+, Sportsnet, TVAS
- Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Capitals-Rangers pick made 3/14/2023 at 2:30 p.m. ET.
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