- What: Eastern Conference NHL Playoffs – Round 1 – Game 2
- Who: Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers
- Date: Tuesday, April 23, 2024
- Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
- Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
- How to Watch: ESPN, MNMT, MSG
The New York Rangers host the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden tonight in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference playoff matchup. The Rangers, who won the President’s Trophy with the best record in the NHL during the 2024 NHL regular season (55-23-4, 114 points), beat the Capitals (40-31-11, 90 points), who earned their wild card spot in their 82nd game of the 2024 NHL campaign in Game 1 of the series by a score of 4-1.
Four different Rangers scored in Game 1 of this Eastern Conference series: Matt Rempe, Artemi Panarin, Jimmy Vesey, and Chris Kreider. The only player to put the puck in the net for the Capitals was Martin Fehervary. The Rangers’ defense held Capitals’ superstar Alex Ovechkin to zero shots in the game. Ovechkin has only failed to register a shot on goal in a playoff contest four times in his storied career. The last time Ovechkin went without a shot was 2018 in a 3-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
With the win in Game 1, the Rangers are 21-9 in opening games in seven game series.
Before we look at the betting breakdown for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference NHL playoff series between the Washington Capitals and New York Rangers, check out our guide to betting on the 2024 NHL Playoffs and our tips for betting on the NHL.
Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers betting picks – Game 2
Washington Capitals betting breakdown
The Washington Capitals finished the 2024 NHL regular season averaging 2.63 goals per game, which ranked them 28th among the 32 teams in the league. The team had a goal differential of minus-37 during the regular season. The only other team with a negative goal differential who made the 2024 NHL Playoffs were the New York Islanders, who are also a wild card team, at minus-17. The Capitals need to find their scoring if they are going to compete against a New York Rangers club who were plus-53 in goal differential in the regular season.
The only player to net 30 goals or more during the regular season for the Capitals was Alex Ovechkin with 31. That total is the lowest number of goals Ovechkin has scored in an 82-game regular season schedule in his vaunted career. Ovechkin has scored 72 goals in 148 playoff games with the Capitals. He has 69 assists during his playoff career.
Capitals goalie, Charlie Lindgren, playing in his first NHL playoff contest posted a 4.06 goals against average to go with a .871 save percentage. It was a disappointing performance for Lindgren, who was one of the Capitals best players down the playoff stretch. Lindgren had a 2.67 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage during the regular season. He must put up numbers close to those to keep the low-scoring Caps in this series.
The Capitals went 0-4 on the power play in Game 1.
New York Rangers betting breakdown
The last time NY Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin allowed more than two goals in a home playoff game was May 15, 2022, when the Rangers beat the Penguins 4-3. Since then Shesterkin has played 10 postseason games at home and he has not allowed over two goals. In Game 1 of the series against the Capitals, Shesterkin allowed one goal on 21 shots. The Rangers went 2-2 against the Caps in the 2024 regular season. They did not allow Washington more than 29 shots on goal in any of those games. Shesterkin was in net for the two wins for the Rangers. He only allowed one goal in each of those games. The Capitals beat him once, potting four goals on 29 shots.
The Rangers are a very balanced team. They can get scoring from their stars, as well as from unexpected sources like Matt Rempe. They play well on offense and defense, and they have toughness that they might have lacked in previous playoff appearances. All four of the team’s goals in Game 1 of the series came at even strength.
New York controlled the pace of Game 1, and there’s no reason to believe they won’t do the same in Game 2. Washington will come out desperate tonight, but the Rangers, who allowed the 10th fewest shots on goal per game in the regular season, have the focus and patience to weather that storm and take advantage of any situation where the Capitals get too aggressive.
Best bets for Game 2 between Washington Capitals and New York Rangers
Expect the Washington Capitals to play more aggressively on offense in Game 2 of their series against the NY Rangers. However, don’t expect a different outcome in this game. The betting pick is for the Rangers to win Game 2 of their series against the Capitals.
The Capitals offense was not very effective during the 2024 NHL regular season. It’s hard to believe that the team will suddenly start scoring at a higher clip in the NHL playoffs where teams often put a premium on defense. The betting pick is that the Capitals will combine for fewer than 5.5 goals in Game 2.
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