by Rod Pearson
Tuesday, Jan 02, 2024
Game Time: 7:30 pm ET, Wednesday, January 3, 2024
Venue: Capital One Arena, Washington, DC
Where to Watch: TNT, MAX
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline: Devils -155, Capitals +130; Over/Under: 6 goals
Bet365: Moneyline: Devils -155, Capitals +130; Over/Under: 6 goals
BetMGM: Moneyline: Devils -155, Capitals +130; Over/Under: 6 goals
Season Record
New Jersey Devils: 19-14-2 (6th place, Metropolitan Division)
Washington Capitals: 17-11-6 (5th place, Metropolitan Division)
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Recent Form
New Jersey Devils: 5-4-1 last 10
Washington Capitals: 4-3-3 last 10
New Jersey Devils vs Washington Capitals Preview and Analysis
The Devils are entering this game with 40 points, a 19-14-2 record overall, and they are 11-6-0 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a loss against the Boston Bruins in their last game, losing that one on the road 5-2. Nico Hischier and Luke Hughes each scored 1 goal for them in that game. Tyler Toffoli led the team in assists with 2 while Jesper Bratt, Jack Hughes, and Jonas Siegenthaler each led the team in shots on net in that game with 4. Vitek Vanecek was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 5 goals on 31 shots with 26 saves and a .839 save percentage. Their offense has scored 121 goals this season averaging 3.5 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 125 goals against them allowing 3.6 goals per game.
The Capitals are entering this game with 40 points, a 17-11-6 record overall, and they are 9-4-4 in their home games this regular season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a loss against the Nashville Predators in their last game, losing that one at home 3-2 in a shootout, but this is also the 2nd game of a back-to-back for them with their game against the Pittsburgh Penguins still to be played on Tuesday night. In their game against the Predators, Beck Malenstyn and Alexander Ovechkin each scored 1 goal for them in that game. Nic Dowd, Aliaksei Protas, Dylan Strome, and Trevor van Riemsdyk each led the team in assists with 1 while Connor McMichael led the team in shots on net in that game with 4. Hunter Shepard was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 2 goals on 36 shots with 34 saves and a .944 sv percentage. Their offense has scored 81 goals this season averaging 2.4 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 99 goals against them allowing 2.9 goals per game.
Devils vs Capitals Prediction
The current betting odds have the Devils listed as a favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Devils haven't looked great in their games this season with their 19-14-2 record overall but they will be looking to push themselves up the standings in the new year. They have looked a lot better in their road games all season with their 11-6-0 road record and they will be looking to bounce back from a 5-2 loss the other night. Meanwhile, the Capitals haven't looked any better in their games this season with their 17-11-6 record overall which also has them on the outside looking in right now. They are coming off a loss in a shootout in their last game and haven't played well in their games lately with scoring goals being a big issue for the team all year. The Capitals are also on a back-to-back here with a game against the Penguins the night before and that is always a game they are ready to play so the Devils have a bit of an advantage here with the Capitals coming off that game. The Devils have looked better in their road games all season and they are the rested team here that badly needs to bounce back, they will get the win here as they are catching the Capitals in a bad spot. The best way to place a bet here is on the Devils to win this game.
Devils Capitals Prediction: Our NHL Pick for Wednesday, January 3, 2024 (7:30 pm ET start time) is Devils 3 Capitals 2.
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NHL Betting Trends
New Jersey Devils: 47-43 (+8 units) on the moneyline in a road game where the total is 6 or more. 27-22 (+2.8 units) on the moneyline after playing 2 consecutive road games. 5-2 UNDER after a blowout loss by 3 goals or more in their previous game.
Washington Capitals: 98-106 (-25.2 units) on the moneyline in all games. 41-49 (-25.5 units) on the moneyline in a home game where the total is 6 or more. 22-11 UNDER in all games. 12-4 UNDER in a home game where the total is 6 or more.
Key Injuries
New Jersey Devils: T. Meier (RW) Out Wed - Abdominal. C. Lazar (C) Ques Wed - Lower Body. D. Hamilton (D) Early April - Pectoral. T. Nosek (LW) Out indefinitely - Foot.
Washington Capitals: M. Fehervary (D) Prob Tues - Upper Body. C. Lindgren (G) Mid Jan - Upper Body. M. Pacioretty (LW) Mid Jan - Achilles. S. Milano (LW) Mid Jan - Upper Body. T. Oshie (RW) Mid Jan - Lower Body. N. Backstrom (C) out for season - Hip.
Notable Quotes
“We let Pastrnak walk right in and he took advantage of a tough change.” - Lindy Ruff after his team’s loss against the Bruins in their game on Saturday.
“It’s obviously frustrating. You want those to go and you’re celebrating, you feel like you got it and it gets swept away from you. But their job is to make those decisions and don’t always have to agree with them.” - Beck Malenstyn after their loss against the Predators in their game on Saturday.
Starting Lineups
New Jersey Devils
LW Toffoli, Tyler
C Hughes, Jack
RW Bratt, Jesper
LD Siegenthaler, Jonas
RD Nemec, Simon
G Vanecek, Vitek
Washington Capitals
LW Ovechkin, Alex
C Kuznetsov, Evgeny
RW Wilson, Tom
LD Fehérváry, Martin
RD Carlson, John
G Kuemper, Darcy
Statistical Leaders
New Jersey Devils
Points: J. Hughes (44)
Goals: J. Hughes (15)
Assists: J. Hughes (29)
GAA: N. Daws (2.00)
Washington Capitals
Points: A. Ovechkin (21)
Goals: D. Strome (13)
Assists: J. Carlson (18)
GAA: C. Lindgren (2.27)
Coaches:
New Jersey Devils: Lindy Ruff (4th season)
Washington Capitals: Spencer Carbery (1st season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
