The Devils and Capitals will meet for the third time this season with the Capitals winning the first two games 6-4 and 4-2. Both teams come in with similar records but the Devils have been playing better in recent games winning 3 of their last 4 compared to the Capitals losing 4 of their last 5. Let's get into our Devils vs Capitals Prediction and NHL picks for 1/3/24.
New Jersey Devils:
The Devils, with a record of 19-14-2, are currently tenth in the Eastern Conference. They come into this game following a loss to the Boston Bruins, which snapped their three-game winning streak.
Jack Hughes leads the Devils with 44 points, followed by Jesper Bratt with 43. Other notable contributors include Tyler Toffoli and Luke Hughes.
Injuries have been a concern for the Devils, with Timo Meier undergoing an evaluation process due to a mid-body injury.
Washington Capitals Overview:
The Capitals hold a record of 18-11-6, placing them eighth in the standings. They recently snapped a four-game losing streak with a victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Dylan Strome and Alex Ovechkin are leading the team in points, with John Carlson and Tom Wilson also making significant contributions.
The Capitals have been strong at home this season, boasting a 9-4-4 record, though they've had a mixed performance in their recent home games.
Head-to-Head and Key Numbers:
Historically, the Devils have had a challenging time against the Capitals, with a record of 96-120-13-6 in all-time meetings.
The Devils have a strong offense, ranking seventh in goals per game, but they struggle defensively, ranking 28th in goals allowed per game.
The Capitals, on the other hand, have been solid defensively, ranking tenth in goals allowed per game, but their offense ranks 31st.
Game Prediction:
The Capitals, coming off a back-to-back game, might be a bit fatigued, which could impact their performance against a fresher Devils team.
Given the Devils' stronger offense and the Capitals' recent inconsistencies at home, the game could tilt in favor of New Jersey. However, the Devils will need to overcome their defensive vulnerabilities to secure a win.
Final Score
Devils 4 Capitals 2
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