The New York Rangers (33-16-9) are on the road to face the Washington Capitals (28-26-6) at Capital One Arena on Saturday in a showdown of teams on losing runs. New York is coming off a 4-1 loss against the Red Wings on Thursday, their third straight defeat.
The Rangers committed six penalties in the game, conceding one power play goal. Vincent Trocheck was the only player to find the net for the Rangers. Jaroslav Halak saved only 19 of 23 shots against (.826%) in the loss.
Washington lost for the sixth straight game, falling 4-2 to the Ducks on Thursday. Nick Jensen and T.J. Oshie both scored once for the Capitals. Charlie Lindgren saved only 17 of 20 shots against (.850%) in the loss.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Capitals won the first meeting between the teams this season, a 4-0 victory in December. Conor Sheary and Erik Gustafsson each had two points (1G 1A) to lead Washington. Darcy Kuemper saved 32 shots to earn the shutout win.
FACING OFF
New York is averaging 3.28 goals per game for the season, 12th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Capitals team that is allowing 2.92 goals a game (12th). Meanwhile, Washington has found the net 2.95 times a game on average, 23rd in the league, and the Rangers are allowing opponents to score 2.72 goals per game (7th).
The Rangers’ 22.16% power play percentage ranks 12th in the league, while the Capitals are 18th with a conversion rate of 20.65%. In terms of penalty killing, Washington has the league’s ninth-ranked PK% at 81.88%, while New York is 17th at 78.66%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 65 and 60 points this season, Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad have been the top skaters for the Rangers. Panarin is among the league leaders with his 47 assists (10th). In the net, Igor Shesterkin (25-9-7) is New York’s top goaltender.
He has a 2.59 GAA and a .912% save percentage. Alex Ovechkin leads the Capitals in scoring with 54 points. He has 32 goals and 22 assists. Kuemper (16-18-4) has the best goals against average for Washington at 2.68. He has a save percentage of .913%.
HOME AND AWAY
New York is 17-6-5 away from home this season. Washington has dropped five straight at Capital One Arena this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
NY Rangers (-145)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
