This weekend in a game between two teams in the Eastern Conference playoff picture, the Washington Capitals will battle against the New York Rangers. With a record of 32-19-10 the Capitals are currently the 5th best team in the Eastern Conference. With a 31-26-4 record on the year the Rangers are the 7th best team in the league.
The Capitals have been great at home this season also they will be the home team in this game. To this point in the season they are 17-7-7 in home games. Even though the Rangers are actually a better road team than a home team this year, they will be on the road. While playing on the road this year they are 17-13-1.
In goals allowed per game, this should be a defensive battle as each of these teams are within the top 7 teams in the league. Even though the Capitals do have one player that has the potential to take over a game at any time, neither team has been dominant offensively.
Where Alex Ovechkin has gone this season, a lot of people are wondering about. This season he has not been scoring as many goals or dishing out as any assists as he has in years past. With points in each of his last 4 games he has been starting to pick things up as of late. When he doesn’t produce for them offensively, the Capitals really struggle.
To keep Ovechkin out of this game the Rangers will do all they can. The Rangers will have a great chance of winning this one if he is a non-factor.
At online sportsbooks on Thursday night, NHL Betting Odds will be available.