The upcoming NHL game between the Washington Capitals and the New York Rangers is set to be an exciting matchup. Here’s a detailed preview of what to expect:
Game Details
- Date and Time: Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at 7:30 PM ET
- Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
- Broadcast: TNT, truTV, Max, ESPN 880 AM
Team Records
- Washington Capitals: 39-14-8
- New York Rangers: 31-26-4
Recent Form
- Washington Capitals: The Capitals have been struggling, with a 6-4-3 record since winning six straight games in January. They recently snapped a three-game losing streak with a 5-4 shootout win over the Ottawa Senators.
- New York Rangers: The Rangers have been in good form, winning four of their last five games and seven of their last ten. They are coming off back-to-back 4-0 shutout wins against the Nashville Predators and the New York Islanders.
Key Players and Injuries
- Washington Capitals:
- Alex Ovechkin: The Capitals’ star player is just 10 goals shy of tying Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record of 894 goals. He has scored three goals against the Rangers this season.
- Dylan Strome: Leading the team with 60 points this season.
- Injuries: The Capitals have several key players out, including Tom Wilson and Pierre-Luc Dubois.
- New York Rangers:
- Artemi Panarin: Leading the Rangers with 63 points this season.
- Igor Shesterkin: The Rangers’ goaltender has been in excellent form, recording a shutout in his last game against the Islanders.
- Injuries: The Rangers recently acquired defenseman Calvin de Haan and forward Juuso Parssinen in a trade.
Game Preview
The New York Rangers are entering this game as favorites, given their recent form and home advantage. They have been strong defensively, allowing only 1.40 goals per game over their last five games. The Rangers’ penalty kill has been excellent, ranking fourth in the NHL with an 82.7% success rate.
The Washington Capitals, on the other hand, have been inconsistent. They will need a strong performance from Alex Ovechkin and their other key players to have a chance against the Rangers. The Capitals have been averaging 3.59 goals per game but have struggled defensively, allowing 2.59 goals per game.
Keys to the Game
- Washington Capitals: Capitalize on power play opportunities, tighten up defensively, and get contributions from their depth players.
- New York Rangers: Maintain their strong defensive play, continue to dominate in faceoffs, and get scoring from their top players.
Washington Capitals – 125
New York Rangers 5.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, March 4, 2025
