Capitals vs Devils predictions
As the Washington Capitals head into the Prudential Center riding high after a thrilling shootout victory, all eyes are potentially on Dylan Strome, who has been on a tear with assists this season. Without Alex Ovechkin, who remains on injured reserve, the Caps will need Strome to continue setting up scoring opportunities as he’s racked up an impressive 26 assists thus far. It’s also a big game for the depth players of the Capitals, who will need to step up their offensive game to fill the void left by Ovechkin's scoring prowess. Keep an eye on players like T.J. Oshie, who often rises to the occasion in critical matchups.
Flipping over to the New Jersey Devils, Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt are the players to watch. Hischier, leading the team with 14 goals, has a knack for finding the back of the net when it matters most. Meanwhile, Bratt, leading with 29 points, has been a consistent playmaker, his agility and puck handling can really challenge the Capitals' defense. Their ability to pierce through Washington's goaltending could be pivotal in this matchup, especially given the Devils’ strong desire to bounce back and assert themselves at home after a mixed bag of results in recent outings.
Taking into account the previous encounters this season where New Jersey has a slight edge, and considering their home record of 6-4-2, the Devils are looking to make a solid statement in this game. Yet, the Washington Capitals have been particularly tough on the road with an 8-2-0 record, potentially flipping the script. However, with home ice advantage and a strong lineup, New Jersey might just have the upper hand if Hischier and Bratt continue to deliver their A-game. Therefore, my lean would be towards a tight contest, but ultimately, I'm predicting a win for the New Jersey Devils—they seem just a bit more poised to clinch it, especially in front of their home crowd. What do you think, could the Capitals surprise us this time around?
