NHL Odds, Preview, Prediction: Devils vs Capitals Pick (Wednesday, January 3)
Rich Graessle/Getty Images. Pictured: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals.
Devils vs. Capitals Odds
| Devils Odds | -185 |
| Capitals Odds | +155 |
| Over / Under | 6.5 -110 / -110 |
Here's everything you need to know about Devils vs. Capitals on Wednesday, Jan. 3 — our expert Devils vs Capitals prediction and betting pick for today.
On a light two-game slate on Wednesday night, the New JerseyDevils and WashingtonCapitals will kick things off with a Metropolitan Division battle on TNT from Capital One Arena in DC.
Scratching and clawing for goals for most of the year, Alex Ovechkin's eighth of the year proved to be the game-winner as the Capitals kicked off 2024 with a 4-3 road win over Sidney Crosby's Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday night. The Devils have been idle since Friday.
Just two points separate the two sides, who are both among a logjam of Eastern Conference teams that are trying to be in a playoff position when this season's round of musical chairs stops after Game 82.
Here's why you should look for the Caps' hot sticks and positive momentum to continue when they get back on home ice.
Find my NHL preview and prediction for Devils vs. Capitals below.
While the Devils are technically finishing off a three-game road trip, their last game action came in a 5-2 loss in Boston on Dec. 30. They've since been back in New Jersey, where they practiced on Tuesday and coach Lindy Ruff confirmed that Timo Meier is sidelined with a new mid-body injury. He's being evaluated and won't travel with the team to Washington.
That's the latest blow for a Devils roster that has seen a significant number of man games lost this season. In November, Meier missed seven games with an unrelated upper-body ailment.
The good news is that Curtis Lazar appears ready to move into Meier's lineup spot after missing three games with an undisclosed issue of his own.
While the Devils are currently outside the playoff picture, they had a decent month of December, putting together a record of 8-5-1. Their offense has been dangerous, and their power play is tops in the league and went 3-for-6 in the last two games. New Jersey also remains one of the strongest puck-possession teams in the league, with an expected goals share of 53.77% at 5-on-5.
Of course, the Devils' biggest challenge this year has been keeping the puck out of their own net. Now healthy, 23-year-old Nico Daws was solid in his first NHL start of the year on Dec. 29, making 25 saves in a 6-2 win over the Ottawa Senators. He could see his second game action of the year against the Capitals.
After getting the better of Crosby and company, Washington opens a five-game homestand on Wednesday.
With Charlie Lindgren now on the shelf with an upper-body injury, Hunter Shepard is likely to make his fourth career NHL start against New Jersey. The 28-year-old remains unbeaten in regulation, with a .926 save percentage, and is coming off a 3-2 shootout loss to the Nashville Predators on Dec. 30.
Washington went 0-2-2 to close out 2023, and a scoring rate of 2.29 goals per game was second-worst in the league.
But the Caps are decent defensively, giving up 2.79 goals per game, and their penalty-killing has been strong, with just three goals allowed in the last 12 games. That could be a key advantage against the Devils' dangerous attack — especially if they can keep the goals coming after Tuesday's encouraging showing.
(Are you in the Tar Heel State? With North Carolina sports betting coming online this year, you’ll be able to bet legally at major sportsbooks. Learn more.)
Devils vs. Capitals
Betting Pick & Prediction
Wednesday will mark the third of four meetings between the Devils and Capitals this season. Washington won the first two contests on the road, both by two-goal margins. And the Caps have been good at home this season, with a record of 8-4-4, although New Jersey is an impressive 11-6-0 in a visiting role.
Given the season series results to date and the fact that Washington is the home team and is ranked higher in the standings, it's a bit surprising to see New Jersey as the strong opening favorite on the moneyline, at -155.
The Devils will be better rested, but confidence can be a big thing in the hockey world, and Washington should be riding some good energy after a statement win against a long-time rival in Pittsburgh.
Don't be surprised if the home side carries that forward and bumps its record against the Devils to 3-0-0 for the season. As of Tuesday night, there are some nice lines available if you back the Caps.
Pick: Capitals moneyline (+145 at Bet365; play down to +110)
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