Capitals vs. Devils Odds
| Capitals Odds | +215 |
| Devils Odds | -260 |
| Over / Under | 6.5 -130/ +106 |
After all 32 NHL teams took the ice on Tuesday for the NHL's Frozen Frenzy, Wednesday is a day of rest for all but two squads.
The New Jersey Devils improved to 3-1-1 for the year on Tuesday night after taking care of business in Montreal against the Canadiens. They'll return home to host the Washington Capitals, who fell to 1-3-1 after a home-ice loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Both sides are playing back-to-back games with travel, but that's where the similarities end between these two Metro Division foes in 2023-24.
However, a brand-new face in net for the visitors could spell opportunity for savvy bettors who are willing to zig when everyone else zags.
Here's the latest on both teams along with a betting prediction, preview and pick for Capitals vs. Devils.
Washington Capitals
It was another rough night for the Capitals on Tuesday. Even though Alex Ovechkin scored his first goal of the year and the Caps outshot the Toronto Maple Leafs 37-17, Washington came out on the wrong end of a 4-1 final score.
The disheartened Capitals have now slipped to 1-3-1 under new coach Spencer Carbery and have been outscored 19-6 over their first five games.
Under the hood, the numbers are a little more promising. The Caps boast a 50% Expected Goals Share at 5-on-5, and their .945 PDO suggests that lady luck has not been on their side in the early going.
However, goaltending could be a wild card on Wednesday.
With Charlie Lindgren still on the injured list, the Caps have recalled Hunter Shepard from AHL Hershey. He'll make his NHL debut against the Devils.
The 27-year-old was the foundation of the Bears' Calder Cup win last spring. He's 2-0-0 for Hershey so far this season with an .885 Save Percentage and 2.88 Goals-Against Average.
New Jersey Devils
At the other end of the spectrum, the Devils improved to 3-1-1 with a 5-2 road win over the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night. Jack Hughes had a four-assist night and now leads the NHL with 14 points in five games — and yes, that's a 230-point pace over a full season.
More importantly for bettors, Hughes has tallied at least a point in every game this season and is on a four-game assist streak. If you're looking for a player to target for a prop bet, he'd be an excellent choice.
So far, the Devils aren't dominating possession like they did last season, although their 53.56% Expected Goals Rate at 5-on-5 is solid.
While their penalty kill is shaky at just 71.4%, the power play is clicking at a ridiculous 44% after a 2-for-4 performance in Montreal. It has connected in every game so far this season.
Vitek Vanecek logged the win against the Canadiens, so expect Akira Schmid to start for the Devils on Wednesday. He's at a solid 1.0 Goals Saved Above Expected for the year.
Capitals vs. Devils
Betting Pick & Prediction
With the Capitals and Devils heading in such different directions, it's not surprising that the betting line dramatically favors the home team in New Jersey.
The best moneyline odds for the Devils as of Tuesday night are -225, which is just under 70% implied odds of winning. That's steep in a game with as much inherent randomness as ice hockey.
The wrinkle, of course, is Washington's goaltender Shepard — an unknown entity about to get the opportunity of a lifetime.
It's not unheard of for journeyman goalies to steal wins in their first NHL games. Fewer than two years ago, 26-year-old Zach Fucale pitched a shutout for the Caps in his first game, a 2-0 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Nov. 11, 2021.
If you're OK with a paltry return of just $4.44 on a $10 bet, then go ahead and back the Devils.
But if you're willing to play a long shot and embrace the idea that the hockey gods will smile on Hunter Shepard and finally grant Washington the puck luck that has eluded the team so far this season, taking the Caps moneyline at +215 is a better bet.
