New Jersey Devils vs Washington Capitals Picks and Predictions November 30th 2024

New Jersey Devils vs Washington Capitals November 30th 2024

Don’t miss out on the NHL showdown between the Capitals and Devils. The game is starting at 7:00 ET on ESPN+, and it’s hosted by the Devils at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. Get ready to place your bets! The over/under for this Metropolitan division contest is set at 6 goals, with the Devils being favored by -1.5 at home against the Capitals.

Washington vs. New Jersey Key Information

• Teams: Capitals at Devils
• Where: Prudential Center Newark
• Date: Saturday, November 30th
• Betting Odds NJ -167 | WAS +141 O/U 6

The Capitals Can Win If…

Following a 4-2 loss to the Hurricanes, the Capitals now sit at 16-6-1. Washington trailed early, but Alex Ovechkin tied it up with just 44 seconds left in the first period, and they took the lead 28 seconds later. However, the Hurricanes responded with three unanswered goals, including an empty-netter in the final seconds.

The total was set at 6 goals, which ended up being a push. Washington, as the underdog on the puck line, failed to cover. All of the game’s scoring occurred in the first period, with the Capitals giving up the first goal at 5:59.

Washington’s offense struck twice in the first period, with Alex Ovechkin netting his 7th goal of the season on a power play, followed by Brandon Duhaime’s 2nd goal. The Capitals took 21 shots on goal but were held scoreless in the second and third periods.

Washington recorded 15 giveaways and had two players contribute with assists: John Carlson, who now has 7 assists this season, and Dylan Strome, who picked up his 13th assist on Ovechkin’s goal. Nic Dowd also added his 2nd assist on Duhaime’s goal.

Defensively, the Capitals gave up the first goal at 5:59 in the first period, and after taking a 2-1 lead, they allowed three straight, including an empty netter. The Hurricanes scored at 2:29 and 5:26 in the second period, and again with 9 seconds left in the third. Charlie Lindgren made 41 saves with a 93.2% save percentage, but Washington’s defense also gave up 44 shots on goal.

• The Capitals have posted a 3-0 record in their previous three games. Their strong play has also resulted in an puck line mark of 2-1 (last 3). They had an over/under mark of 2-1 in those same games.
• Through their last ten regular season contests, Washington has a record of 7-3. Their record vs the puck line sits at 8-2 in these matchups, while posting a 7-3 over-under mark.

The Devils Can Win If…

New Jersey’s 3-0 loss to the Flames dropped their record to 16-8-2. The Devils entered as -1.5 goal favorites, failing to cover the puck line. The total was set at 6.5 goals, but the combined score of 3 fell well short of that mark.

All three goals came in the third period, with the Flames scoring at 5:34, 5:06, and 3:15. New Jersey’s offense struggled, managing just 22 shots on goal and turning the puck over 19 times.

The Devils’ offense was shut out in their 3-0 loss to the Flames, managing 22 shots on goal but failing to convert. They recorded 19 giveaways and were blanked through all three periods.

New Jersey was held scoreless in the first two periods before Calgary scored three times in the third. The Devils had no power play goals, shorthanded goals, or empty net goals in the game.

Defensively, the Devils were solid through two periods, keeping the game scoreless heading into the third. However, they gave up three goals in the final period, including an empty-netter. New Jersey’s defense finished with 5 takeaways and 22 hits, while their goalie made 29 saves with a 93.5% save percentage.

• The Devils have posted a 2-1 record in their previous three games. However, they have only gone 1-2 vs. the puck line over this stretch. Their over-under record in these three games was 2-1.
• New Jersey has put together a record of 7-3 in their last ten games (regular season). Their record against the puck line in this stretch is 4-6 to go along with an over-under mark of 4-5-1.

The Lean

For a moneyline bet, I’m backing the Devils to secure a victory over the Capitals at home. With the moneyline currently set at -167, I’m locking in my bet on the Devils straight-up.

For my recommended choice in the puck line, I’m leaning towards the Capitals to cover. Even if the Devils secure a straight-up win, this game is expected to be tightly contested, and the Capitals should cover the puck line.

With an over/under line sitting at 6 goals, we like this game to surpass that mark and recommend getting a bet down on the over.

NHL Picks & Predictions

Capitals Look to Extend Streaks in Season Series Finale Against Devils

The Washington Capitals will aim to build on their momentum as they visit the New Jersey Devils on Saturday night in Newark, N.J., in the final meeting of their season series. Both teams enter the game riding strong recent performances, promising an intense battle on the ice.

Momentum Collides in Newark

The Capitals come in with two impressive streaks: a six-game road winning run and three consecutive victories overall. The Devils have also been in stellar form, winning four of their last five games and 11 of their previous 15.

The teams have faced off three times this season, with the Devils holding a 2-1-0 edge. Interestingly, the road team has claimed victory in each matchup, a trend Washington will look to continue.

High-Stakes Back-to-Backs

Saturday’s game will test both teams’ endurance as each played on Friday night. The Devils eked out a 5-4 win against the Detroit Red Wings, while the Capitals mounted a thrilling third-period comeback to edge the New York Islanders 5-4 in overtime.

For Washington, defenseman Jakob Chychrun played hero, netting the overtime winner just 1:20 into the extra frame. Tom Wilson contributed two goals, while Dylan Strome tallied a goal and two assists. Connor McMichael added three assists, and goalie Logan Thompson made 20 saves.

“Just shows that we’re a really good hockey team,” McMichael said of the comeback. “Good teams always find a way to win, and I think we proved that tonight.”

The Capitals showed resilience after a shaky second period in which the Islanders scored three times. Chychrun emphasized the team’s ability to bounce back: “We take a lot of pride in turning it around when we have a bad period.”

Spotlight on Star Performers

Washington’s offense has been clicking, with several players in form:

• Dylan Strome: Six points (two goals, four assists) in his last three games.
• Jakob Chychrun: Matching Strome’s output with six points in the same span.
• Tom Wilson: A crucial contributor with timely goals and leadership.

For New Jersey, their star players have also been delivering:

• Dougie Hamilton, Timo Meier, and Jack Hughes: Each scored a power-play goal in the win against Detroit.
• Nico Hischier: The Devils captain scored his 150th NHL goal on Friday and added an assist, continuing his strong play with four goals in the past three games.

“He impacts the game in so many ways,” Devils coach Sheldon Keefe said of Hischier. “When it’s not your night as a team, you need individuals to step up, and Nico did that tonight.”

Key Factors for Saturday’s Clash

1. Special Teams Battle: Both teams excelled on the power play in their last outings, with Washington going 2-for-4 and New Jersey scoring three goals with the man advantage.
2. Resilience Under Pressure: Both squads showcased the ability to rally from deficits in their Friday games, setting up a clash of determined and disciplined opponents.
3. Defensive Adjustments: The Devils have surrendered the first goal on the opponent’s first shot in their last three games, a trend they’ll need to reverse to stay competitive.

Injury Concerns

The Devils may be without forward Tomas Tatar, who left Friday’s game in the first period due to a lower-body injury. His absence could impact New Jersey’s depth against a relentless Capitals lineup.

The Road Ahead

With the Capitals looking to extend their dominance on the road and the Devils aiming to defend home ice while sealing the season series, this game promises to be a tightly contested affair. Both teams are pushing for momentum as the season intensifies, making this matchup one to watch.