The New Jersey Devils (13-7-2) meet the Washington Capitals (13-5-1) Saturday at Capital One Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Devils vs. Capitals odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: Tied 1-1
The Devils are coming off a solid 4-2 victory at home against the Carolina Hurricanes, and New Jersey has picked up 3 victories in the past 4 outings.
These teams last met in Newark Oct. 19, with the Capitals coming away with an entertaining 6-5 win. Meanwhile, New Jersey won 5-3 in D.C. Oct. 12, as the Over cashed in both of those games.
For the Caps, they received the bad news that Alex Ovechkin will be sidelined for at least 4-6 weeks due to a broken fibula. He had been off to a red-hot start. Without him, Washington suffered a 2-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche in the first Game without their superstar.
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Devils at Capitals odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NHL odds. Lines last updated at 11:30 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Devils -145 (bet $145 to win $100) | Capitals +120 (bet $100 to win $120)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Devils -1.5 (+180) | Capitals +1.5 (-225)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -120 | U: +100)
Devils at Capitals projected goalies
Jacob Markstrom (9-5-1, 2.54 GAA, .907 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Charlie Lindgren (5-4-0, 2.59 GAA, .900 SV%)
Markstrom has enjoyed a solid run in November, going 4-2-0 with a 2.35 GAA and .913 SV% in 6 starts, which is a tick better than his 5-3-1 mark, 2.68 GAA and .903 SV% in 9 October outings. He faced the Caps in both matchups back in October, going 1-0-1 with 9 goals allowed on 69 shots.
Lindgren has won each of his past 2 starts, kicking aside 41 of the 45 shots he faced against the Colorado Avalanche and Utah Hockey Club. In November, he is 2-2-0 with a 2.54 GAA and .917 SV% in 4 outings. He was the losing goaltender in the Oct. 12 back at home against the Devils, allowing 4 goals on 32 shots.
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Devils at Capitals picks and predictions
Prediction
Devils 4, Capitals 2
Moneyline
The DEVILS (-145) are a solid play as moderate road favorites. First off, the road team has won each of the first 2 meetings in this season already, and the Capitals (+120) offense looked rather toothless last time out in their first game without Ovie.
Back Markstrom and New Jersey in this matchup, as the road team looks to go 3-for-3 in this series this season.
Puck line/Against the spread
If you’re really adventurous, back the DEVILS -1.5 (+180) on the puck line for the chance to nearly double up. Obviously, you would not want to play the puck line and moneyline at the same time.
In New Jersey’s past 3 wins since Nov. 12, it has won by 2 or more goals, including against the Hurricanes last time out. So, if you like the Devils, you should like them on the puck line as well.
Over/Under
The Over/Under (6) is expected to come down right on the total, so the best thing to do here is AVOID.
While we saw the Over cash in each of the first 2 meetings between these teams this season, Washington’s offense is a little less impressive with Ovechkin sidelined. And, New Jersey has cashed low in 4 of its past 5 outings.
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