The Washington Capitals (1-1-0) and New York Rangers (2-1-0) square off Sunday. Puck drop from Madison Square Garden in New York is set for 7 p.m. ET (NHL Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Capitals vs. Rangers odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.

Season series: First meeting; Capitals won all 3 meetings last season

The Capitals notched their first win of the season Saturday night, defeating the New York Islanders 4-2 as -114 road favorites with the Over (5.5) cashing. C Aliaksei Protas led the way offensively, recording 2 goals and an assist. G Logan Thompson stopped 34 of 36 shots to secure the win.

The Rangers dominated the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday night, cruising to a 6-1 victory as -139 road favorites with the Over (6) cashing. D Adam Fox led the offensive surge with 2 goals and an assist, while LW Will Cuylle added a goal, 5 hits, and a takeaway. G Igor Shesterkin was sharp, stopping 18 of 19 shots to backstop the Rangers’ commanding win.

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Capitals at Rangers odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:06 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Capitals -110 (bet $110 to win $100) | Rangers -110 (bet $110 to win $100)Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Capitals -1.5 (+220) | Rangers +1.5 (-275)Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -110 | U: -110)Capitals at Rangers projected goalies

Logan Thompson (1-1-0, 2.03 GAA, .930 SV%) vs. Igor Shesterkin (2-1-0, 0.67 GAA, .976 SV%, 1 SO)

Shesterkin turned in another stellar performance Saturday night, stopping 18 of 19 shots for a 1.01 GAA and a .947 SV%. The Rangers’ netminder has now allowed just 2 goals on 85 shots this season. His last meeting with the Capitals came on March 5, 2024, when he surrendered 3 goals on 26 shots in a 3-2 loss.

Thompson picked up his first win of the season Saturday night, stopping 34 of 36 shots for a 2.01 goals-against average and a .944 save percentage. He last faced the Rangers on Jan. 4, 2024, earning the win despite allowing 4 goals on 33 shots (.879 SV%). Thompson is 3-1 against New York in regular-season play.

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Capitals at Rangers picks and predictionsPrediction

Rangers 2, Capitals 1

BET RANGERS (-110).

Both teams will take the ice on short rest Sunday night at Madison Square Garden after playing the night before, but the Rangers enter with serious momentum. While Washington swept all 3 meetings last season, New York looks like a different team — dominant on both ends and brimming with confidence after outscoring the Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh 10-1 in back-to-back wins.

Between the pipes, the clear edge belongs to Shesterkin. The Rangers’ star goaltender has been nearly perfect to start the season and boasts a strong history against the Capitals, including an 8-5-0 record with a .914 save percentage in 14 regular-season matchups. In the postseason, he’s been even better, going 4-0 with a 1.75 GAA.

This early-season showdown feels like a statement opportunity for both clubs, but with home-ice advantage and the hotter goalie, the Rangers are the team to back in this one.

PASS.

No need to play with the puck line in this matchup; keep your focus on the moneyline.

BET UNDER 6 (-110).

It’s tough to see this one turning into a shootout with 2 elite goalies in net. Shesterkin has allowed just 2 total goals through 3 games, while Thompson hasn’t given up more than 2 in either of his starts. The Rangers have also gone Under in 2 of their 3 contests. With both teams leaning on strong defense, the Under looks like the smart play here.

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