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By Brady Trettenero in NHL Hockey
Published:
The Washington Capitals and New York Rangers are set to face off in an anticipated first-round matchup in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Rangers vs Caps series will kick off Sunday, April 21st at Madison Square Garden,
This will be the 10th postseason meeting between these Metropolitan Division rivals, with the Rangers holding a slight 5-4 edge in their previous playoff encounters.
Do the underdog Caps stand a chance against the powerhouse Rangers this time around? We break down the odds, schedule, playoff history, and provide our Round 1 prediction.
Despite the Capitals’ strong finish to clinch a playoff spot, oddsmakers have the Rangers as the clear favorites in this series. New York is to -450 win the series, which is 81.8% implied win probability.
The Rangers earned the Presidents’ Trophy with an impressive 54-21-7 record, while the Capitals snuck in as the second wild card at 40-31-11. New York’s home-ice advantage and superior regular season performance make them the clear betting favorite.
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The Capitals and Rangers have a rich history of playoff battles, dating back to their first postseason meeting in 1986. Here’s a breakdown of their previous series:
The most recent meeting in 2015 saw the Rangers storm back from a 3-1 series deficit to stun the Capitals in seven games. Will the Capitals be able to exact revenge, or will the Rangers continue their playoff dominance over their division rival?
The full Rangers vs Capitals schedule is expected to be announced in the very near-future. We do know Game 1 of Rangers vs Caps will take place Sunday, April 21st at Madison Square Garden. The puck drops at 3:00 PM ET, with ESPN carrying the broadcast nationally.
Sunday. 3 p.m. Game 1. MSG. Rangers-Caps. pic.twitter.com/BE1rAs2VuB
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) April 17, 2024
While the Rangers are favored, the Capitals certainly have a puncher’s chance in this series. Here are a few reasons why Washington could surprise:
Veteran leadership: The Capitals’ core of Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, John Carlson, and T.J. Oshie have been through countless playoff battles together, including a Stanley Cup championship in 2018. Their experience and leadership could be invaluable in a tight series.
Charlie Lindgren’s emergence: Goaltender Charlie Lindgren has been a revelation for the Capitals this season. The 30-year-old journeyman seized the starting job from Darcy Kuemper and posted a 25-16-7 record with a .911 save percentage and 6 shutouts. Lindgren’s play has given the Capitals a chance to win every night, and he’ll need to be at his best against the high-powered Rangers offense.
Rivalry factor: There’s no love lost between these two teams, and the intensity of this rivalry often leads to unpredictable results. The Capitals will be eager to prove that their championship window hasn’t closed, while the Rangers will look to show that they’re ready to take the next step as Stanley Cup contenders.
Both teams boast star-studded rosters, but a few players could tip the scales in this series:
Alex Ovechkin (Capitals): The greatest goal-scorer of his generation, Ovechkin led the Capitals with 30 goals and 64 points this season. The 38-year-old captain always seems to elevate his game in the playoffs, and the Capitals will need him to be at his best to pull off the upset.
Artemi Panarin (Rangers): Panarin is the straw that stirs the drink for the Rangers’ offense. The dynamic winger tallied 26 goals and 86 points in 73 games this season, and his creativity and vision make him a constant threat. If the Capitals can’t contain Panarin, it could be a short series.
John Carlson (Capitals): Carlson is the engine that drives the Capitals’ blue line. The 34-year-old defenseman posted 8 goals and 48 points in 78 games, and his ability to jump into the play and quarterback the power play makes him a key cog in Washington’s attack. Carlson will also be tasked with shutting down the Rangers’ top forwards.
Igor Shesterkin (Rangers): Shesterkin has established himself as one of the NHL’s elite goaltenders, and he’ll be looking to bounce back after a disappointing playoff performance last year. The 28-year-old Russian posted a 36-13-8 record with a .916 save percentage and six shutouts this season, and his ability to steal games could be the difference in a tight series.
On paper, the Rangers are the clear favorites in this series. They have the superior roster, home-ice advantage, and the betting odds on their side. However, the Capitals have the veteran savvy and the hot goaltender in Lindgren to potentially pull off the upset.
Ultimately, I believe the Rangers’ firepower will be too much for the Capitals to overcome. New York’s depth and star power should propel them to victory, but I expect Washington to make them earn it.
There isn’t much value in betting Rangers to win, so consider a wager on the exact score of the series. The Caps have taken two of the past four regular-season meetings and have the hot goalie to steal a couple games. Our official prediction is that New York prevails in six.
NYR vs WAS Series Prediction:
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Lead NHL & NCAAF Editor
Brady is the lead NHL and College Football editor at Sports Betting Dime, where he specializes in betting odds and data-driven analysis. Brady has over 10 years experience working in sports media, with work published by outlets such as ESPN, CBS Sports, Yahoo! Sports and Fox Sports.
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