Capitals vs Devils Odds, Picks, and Predictions Tonight: Capitals Punished on Scoreboard

The injuries on the Capitals' front line are piling up, which isn't good news against the Devils' elite defense. See why we're backing Jersey to shut the door on Washington with Saturday's NHL picks.

Nov 26, 2022 • 13:02 ET • 4 min read

A couple of Metropolitan Division clubs meet on Saturday night with the first-place New Jersey Devils hosting the sixth-place Washington Capitals. Entering this contest, New Jersey has allowed two or fewer goals in each of its last seven games.

Will the Devils keep shutting down opponents, or can the Capitals snap the streak? Find out in our free NHL picks and predictions for Capitals vs. Devils on Saturday, November 2.

Capitals vs Devils best odds

Capitals vs Devils picks and predictions

The Caps have performed below their pre-season expectations, mainly due to the amount of injuries that have plagued this lineup. Tom Wilson, Nicklas Backstrom, and Carl Hagelin are all slated to miss this game for Washington.

That’s an immense amount of firepower not on the ice, which is why the Capitals rank just 22nd in the league in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60) at 5v5. This lack of offensive production will be a massive problem against New Jersey, which has been the most efficient team defensively this season.

Spearheaded by shutdown defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler, this blue line has done an excellent job of keeping opposing offenses out of high-danger scoring areas. At 5v5, the Devils rank first in the league in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60).

Backing up this terrific defense is goaltender Vitek Vanecek, who is projected to start between the pipes against his former club. This season, Venecek is 9-2 with a .917 SV% and 2.14 GAA.

Entering this matchup, he has allowed two or fewer goals in each of his last four starts. On home ice against his former team with the most efficient defense in the league playing in front of him, Vanecek should be in store for yet another great outing.

Washington needs its three injured forwards back desperately, as its offensive depth is a concern given how infrequently the Caps produce high-danger scoring chances at 5v5. Going against a dominant New Jersey defense will likely not be the game where things start to turn around.

My best bet: Washington Capitals team total Under 2.5 (+100 at DraftKings)

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Capitals vs Devils moneyline analysis

I would lean towards taking the Devils in this contest, but there is little value on that side. NHL odds have them currently laying –195 on the moneyline at DraftKings, which is too much juice for my liking.

If you want to avoid the juice, you could take the puck line of –1.5 at +145, although there is not enough risk/reward on that line considering this is a divisional game between two pre-season playoff-hopeful teams. Goaltender Charlie Lindgren is projected to get the start for Washington, a netminder who has done a solid job in the backup role.

Through six appearances between the pipes this season, Lindgren is 2-1-2 with a .905 SV% and 3.13 GAA. In his lone start against the Devils this season, Lindgren stopped 38 of 41 pucks for a .927 SV%.

Capitals vs Devils Over/Under analysis

I would lean towards the Under, although I think the safer play resides with just fading Washington’s offense and backing New Jersey’s defense. The primary reason for avoiding the full-game Under is that the Devils’ offense is just as elite as their defense.

At 5v5, New Jersey ranks first in the league in xGF/60. Yes, it ranks first in both of the most important metrics in hockey — that’s how dominant this 17-4 Devils team has been.

New Jersey’s young offensive core of Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, and Nico Hischier has been nearly unstoppable, with each guy averaging north of a point per game. Going against a Washington defense that ranks just 20th in xGA/60 at 5v5 should be yet another opportunity for this group to light the lamp numerous times.

Capitals vs Devils betting trend to know

Opposing teams have scored two or fewer goals in each of New Jersey’s last seven games. Find more NHL betting trends for Capitals vs Devils.

Capitals vs Devils game info

Location: Prudential Center, Newark, NJ
Date: Saturday, November 26, 2022
Puck drop: 7:00 p.m. ET
TV: NBCS Washington, MSG

Capitals vs Devils key injuries

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