Oct 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Capitals players salute the fans after their game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

New York Rangers vs Washington Capitals Prediction 10/9/2026 Today’s NHL Picks

Pick details

MATCHUP New York Rangers Washington Capitals
Team Records 4-1-0 2-1-0
Spread +1.5 -230 -1.5 190
Moneyline +120 -142
Total Over 5.5 (-130) Under 5.5 (110)
Where Capital One Arena, Washington, DC
When Friday, October 9, 2026
Time 07:00 PM EDT
TV NHL Net

The New York Rangers and Washington Capitals meet Friday in NHL action at the Capital One Arena. Here’s a New York Rangers vs Washington Capitals Prediction. This article will include a New York Rangers vs. Washington Capitals Pick.

New York Rangers Betting Preview


The New York Rangers beat the Mammoth and Islanders, and play the Canucks next. The Rangers have won 4 straight games.

The New York Rangers are averaging 3.2 goals per game and are scoring 21.4 percent of their power play opportunities. Eeli Tolvanen leads New York with 3 goals, Adam Fox has 5 assists, and Pavel Dorofeyev has 15 shots on goal. Defensively, the New York Rangers are allowing 1.6 goals per game and are killing 87.5 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Igor Shesterkin has allowed 7 goals on 95 shots faced, and Dylan Garand has given up 0 goals on 22 shots.

Washington Capitals Betting Preview


The Washington Capitals beat the Penguins, lost to the Lightning, and they play the Kraken next. The Capitals have won 10 of their last 13 regular season games.

The Washington Capitals are averaging 3.67 goals per game and are scoring 25 percent of their power play opportunities. Alex Tuch leads Washington with 3 goals, Tom Wilson has 3 assists, and Ryan Leonard has 8 shots on goal. Defensively, the Washington Capitals are allowing 2.67 goals per game and are killing 91.7 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Logan Thompson has given up 5 goals on 63 shots faced, and Charlie Lindgren has allowed 2 goals on 29 shots.

Why the Washington Capitals will win

  • The Capitals have won each of their last eight games against opponents on a winning streak.
  • The Rangers have lost six of their last seven games at Capital One Arena following a home win.
  • The Capitals have covered the puck line in each of their last five home games.
  • The Rangers have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last four games at Capital One Arena when playing with a rest advantage.
  • The Rangers have lost the second period in six of their last seven games as underdogs at Capital One Arena when tied after the first period.

Why the New York Rangers will win

  • The Rangers have won three of their last four games as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
  • The Capitals have lost nine of their last 13 games as home favorites against opponents on a winning streak.
  • The Capitals have failed to cover the puck line in nine of their last 10 games as a home favorite when playing with a rest disadvantage.
  • The Rangers have covered the puck line in seven of their last eight night games following a home win.
  • The Capitals have lost the third period in seven of their last eight games when trailing after the second period.

Total Goals Facts

  • Each of the Capitals’ last seven games at Capital One Arena following a home win have gone UNDER the total goals line.
  • Seven of the Rangers’ last eight games against Metropolitan Division opponents have gone OVER the total goals line.
  • The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Rangers’ last 10 games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
  • The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in 24 of the Capitals’ last 26 games following a home win.

Washington Capitals Player Prop Facts

  • Aliaksei Protas has scored a goal in each of the Capitals’ last four games against the Rangers at Capital One Arena.
  • Pierre-Luc Dubois has recorded at least one assist in each of the Capitals’ last six games against Eastern Conference opponents at Capital One Arena.
  • Anthony Beauvillier has recorded 13 career assists against the Rangers – most against any opponent (including playoffs).

New York Rangers Player Prop Facts

  • Eeli Tolvanen has scored a goal in three of the Rangers’ last four games.
  • Alexis Lafreniere has recorded an assist in seven of the Rangers’ last eight games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
  • Alexis Lafreniere ranks T1st in the Eastern Conference for Plus/Minus (+5) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

  • The Washington Capitals rank T1st in the league for power play goals against this season (1).
  • The Washington Capitals rank T1st in the league in short-handed goals allowed this season (0).
  • The New York Rangers have recorded the longest winning streak (4 games) in the NHL this season (including playoffs).
  • The New York Rangers rank 3rd in the league in save percentage this season (.940).

New York Rangers vs Washington Capitals Injury Report


The Capitals will be without Patrick Thomas and Rasmus Sandin. Matt Roy is day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

The Rangers will be without Joe Veleno, Joonas Korpisalo, Aidan Thompson, and Adam Sykora.

New York Rangers vs Washington Capitals Prediction


The Rangers are on a heater, and getting them at plus money is worth a look. However, as I’ve said a few times already this season, I’m high on the Capitals and view them as a team that could win the Metropolitan. The Caps made a lot of strong moves this offseason and are a much better team than what we saw a year ago. Despite a tough three games to start the season, the Caps have held up well. This is a good Capitals team and one I’m going to back a lot as long as the prices stay reasonable. Give me the Capitals.

Randy Chambers's Pick: Washington Capitals

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