Welcome back to NHL Predictions, where the Last Word on Hockey provides insight into all of today’s games. On Wednesday, November 20th’s edition of NHL Predictions, we’ll take a look at five games. Today’s featured game is the battle of the Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers.
NHL Predictions
Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal Canadiens
Head-to-Head: Senators 0-0 Canadiens
It´s the first meeting of the season between two Canadian Atlantic Division rivals, the Ottawa Senators visit Bell Centre to face the Montreal Canadiens. After recording just one victory in their first eight games, the Senators won seven of their following 12 games heading to the matchup in Detroit to face the Red Wings on Tuesday. It´s going to be the third straight road game for Ottawa, who are playing on back-to-back nights.
Still, the Senators are still at the bottom of the standings. On the other hand, the Canadiens are a playoff team as of now. They will also be playing on back-to-back nights, having played the Columbus Blue Jackets on the road yesterday. Before that game in Columbus, Montreal went 7-1-2, which is impressive. The Habs will have to endure the unpleasant long-term injuries of Jonathan Drouin and Paul Byron. Despite those injuries, they are the favourites to claim the victory at Bell Centre tonight. The Canadiens have won six straight games at home versus the Senators.
Prediction: Montreal wins 5-2.
Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers
Head-to-Head: Capitals 1-0 Rangers
Today´s featured game is the Washington Capitals visiting Madison Square Garden to face the New York Rangers. It´s Wednesday Night Hockey with the classic game between two Metropolitan Division foes. The Caps come to this game as the hottest team in the NHL, suffering only one regulation loss in their past 16 contests. That lone loss came at home against the Montreal Canadiens. Otherwise, the Capitals are 13-1-2 in their most recent 16 tilts. They lead the league with 36 points.
On the other side, the Rangers are nowhere near the NHL´s best teams. With 18 points from 18 games, the Rangers are at least six points out of the playoff picture. While New York has 18 points overall, Washington has 18 points as an advantage over the Rangers in the standings. Often, the standings don’t matter much, especially in the divisional games early in the season.
These two squads played once in October, with the Caps winning 5-2 at Capital One Arena. At home, the Rangers are alternating wins and losses as of late, winning their last home game versus the Pittsburgh Penguins in overtime. They are coming off a miserable two-game road trip in Florida, where they gave up a total of 13 goals, including a poor 9-3 outing in Tampa Bay. From their last eight head-to-head meetings at MSG, the Capitals are 6-1-1. The trend should continue on Wednesday, as well.
Prediction: Capitals win 4-3 in overtime.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
