The New Jersey Devils (41-16-6) travel to face the Washington Capitals (31-28-6) at Capital One Arena on Thursday. New Jersey is coming off a 4-3 loss against the Maple Leafs on Tuesday.
The Devils committed only two penalties in the game, yet still conceded a power play goal. Erik Haula led the Devils with two goals. Vitek Vanecek only had 21 saves on 25 shots against (.840%) in the loss.Washington fell 4-2 to the Kings on Monday.
Rasmus Sandin and Alex Ovechkin both scored once for the Capitals. Sandin added an assist to lead the team in scoring. Darcy Kuemper saved 37 of 40 shots (.925%) in the loss.
HEAD TO HEAD
The teams have split their two meetings this season, the most recent of which was a 5-1 victory for the Devils in November. Jack Hughes led New Jersey with three goals. John Carlson scored Washington’s only goal. Vanecek got the win, saving 37 of 38 shots (.973%).
FACING OFF
New Jersey is averaging 3.57 goals per game for the season, fourth in the NHL, and they are taking on a Capitals team that is allowing 2.98 goals a game (13th). Meanwhile, Washington has found the net 3.08 times a game on average, 19th in the league, and the Devils are allowing opponents to score 2.71 goals per game (7th).
New Jersey averages more shots/game (34.5) than most teams in the league, ranking fourth. Washington’s average of 31.4 attempts ranks 18th.
The Devils and Capitals are tied for 14th in the league in power play percentage with a conversion rate of 21.11%. In terms of defending power plays, Washington has the league’s seventh-ranked PK% at 82.68%, while New Jersey is 12th at 81.52%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 76 points this season, Hughes is the top skater for the Devils. He is among the league leaders with 36 goals (9th) and has added 40 assists. In the net, Vanecek (27-6-3) is New Jersey’s top goaltender. He has a 2.50 GAA and a .908% save percentage.
Ovechkin leads the Capitals in scoring with 61 points. He has 36 goals (9th) and 25 assists. Charlie Lindgren (12-8-2) has the best goals against average for Washington at 2.74.
He has a save percentage of .905%. Kuemper (19-20-4) has played the most games in net for the Capitals this season. He has a 2.78 GAA and a .910% save percentage.
HOME AND AWAY
New Jersey is 23-4-4 on the road this season. Washington is 15-13-3 at Capital One Arena this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
NJ Devils (-145)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
