Rangers vs. Capitals Odds
| Rangers Odds | -176 |
| Capitals Odds | +146 |
| Over / Under | 5.5 -110o / -11ou |
Here's everything you need to know about the Rangers vs Capitals Game 3 on Friday, April 26 – our expert NHL prediction and pick.
It's no surprise to see the top regular-season team in the NHL with a 2-0 series lead against the squad that snuck into the last playoff berth.
But in their four-game season series, the Capitals and the Rangers each won their two home games — an interesting nugget as the teams' first-round playoff series shifts to Capital One Arena on Friday.
And while the Rangers are in the driver's seat still, the Capitals responded well in Game 2 – controlling 5-on-5 play and matching New York's power play. The difference in the game was a single shorthanded goal.
After it battled for months just to get into the playoffs, don't expect Washington to roll over now. At plus money, the Capitals are an enticing bet for Game 3, so let's dig into it in our Rangers vs. Capitals preview and pick.
New York Rangers
In the first two games of the series, the Rangers outscored the Capitals 8-4. Igor Shesterkin was solid in net with 1.1 goals saved above expected, and while no other series has featured more special-teams play, the Rangers' edge came only from K'Andre Miller's shorthanded tally in Game 2, which stood up as the game-winner.
The Rangers averaged 6.5 more shots per game and dominated in the faceoff circle, Lafreniere 56.5% of their draws. And they're getting balanced production. Eight different players have scored so far, while Mika Zibanejad, Vincent Trocheck and Alexis Lafreniere lead the way with three points each.
Roster-wise, the big news at Thursday's practice was Filip Chytil skating in the third-line center spot, in place of Alexander Wennberg. Coach Peter Laviolette said Wennberg's absence was just for "maintenance." But after being sidelined since early November with a head injury, Chytil was a full participant in practice and is travelling to Washington, so there's a chance he could draw in for Game 3.
Washington Capitals
Charlie Lindgren's heroics in net got the Capitals into the playoffs, but has he started to wear down after 52 games played this year? He's facing some sharpshooters on the other side, but through the first two games of the series, Lindgren has a 4.12 goals-against average and minus-2.8 goals saved above expected, third lowest of all the playoff goaltenders.
Lindgren has started Washington's last eight games, so there's no reason to think he won't get the starting nod in front of the home fans Friday.
The other key player who needs a boost is Alex Ovechkin – pointless through the first two games of the series, with just one shot on goal. Ovechkin told the media Thursday that he has been feeling "not good" so far, but is preaching patience and Washington's need to simplify its game.
And while they didn't come out on the right side of the final score, the Capitals should be buoyed by the fact that they controlled a solid 59.42% of expected goals at 5-on-5 in Game 2, and matched the Rangers' two power-play goals with a pair of their own.
Look for Washington to make at least one roster change Friday, swapping rookie Ivan Miroshnichenko onto the fourth line in place of Nicolas Aube-Kubel. The 20-year-old posted six points in 21 games with the Capitals this season.
Sonny Milano missed practice Thursday for a maintenance day, but on the blue line, the Capitals remain thin. Rasmus Sandin and Nick Jensen skated again in non-contact jerseys, with no update on their status, and Vincent Iorio is expected to miss his second game with an upper-body issue.
Rangers vs. Capitals
Betting Pick & Prediction
Despite the change of venues, the Capitals remain hefty underdogs for Game 3. They opened at +160 on the moneyline, but the margin has shrunk a bit since then.
That being said, the margin of play between the two teams shrunk significantly Tuesday. With the knowledge that they can play with the Rangers, and the boost that comes from being back in front of their home fans, can the Capitals seize the moment and add some spice to this series?
For Washington to have a chance, Lindgren will need to out-duel Shesterkin – and he did play better on home ice during the regular season, posting a record of 14-7-4 and a 2.52 goals-against average compared to 11-9-3 and 2.82 on the road.
Getting Ovechkin back on track is also crucial. At nearly a point per game in his 149-game playoff career, history suggests he won't stay silent forever.
The task won't be easy, but Washington has played well enough to justify a moneyline wager for home ice in Game 3, if the price is right.
Pick: Capitals Moneyline (+146 at FanDuel | Play down to +130)
