Rangers vs Capitals Prediction 12/23/2025 Today’s NHL Picks

In this article we will formulate a Rangers vs Capitals prediction for this NHL game on Tuesday, December 23rd at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

New York Rangers Betting Preview

The New York Rangers are 18-16-4 this season after they lost to Nashville by a score of 2-1 in their last game. New York cut the deficit to 2-1 late in the third period, but couldn’t find a goal in the last 35 seconds for the loss. The Rangers were out shot by a total of 32-17, won 63.6% of the face-offs, and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. New York got their lone goal from Brodzinski, while Quick stopped 30 out of 31 shots, which was a .968 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, New York defeated the Flyers by a score of 5-4 and the Blues by a score of 2-1. The Rangers have lost three of their last five games and they are currently sixth in the Metro standings with 40 points. New York has scored 2.50 goals per game and they have allowed 2.68 goals against per game, while also going 18.7% on the power play and 81.1% on the penalty kill this season. Artemi Panarin has led New York with 13 goals and 23 assists, while Mika Zibanejad has added 12 goals and 15 assists. The projected starting goalie for New York is Igor Shesterkin, who is 15-11-3 with a 2.54 goals against average and a .908 save percentage this season. 

Washington Capitals Betting Preview

The Washington Capitals are 19-12-5 this year after they lost to Detroit by a score of 3-2 in overtime. Washington led 1-0 in the first period, but they needed a goal in the third to tie it up, before losing with 24 seconds left in OT. The Capitals out shot Detroit by a total of 33-27, won 49.1% of the face-offs, and went 0-1 on the power play in the game. Washington got both of their goals from Frank, while Lindgren stopped 24 out of 27 shots, which was an .889 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Washington lost another game to the Red Wings by a score of 5-2, but did beat the Maple Leafs by a score of 4-0 before that. The Capitals have lost five of their last six games and they are currently third in the Metro standings with 43 points. Washington has scored 3.17 goals per game and they have allowed 2.56 goals against per game, while also going 14.7% on the power play and 76.8% on the penalty kill this season. Tom Wilson has led Washington with 17 goals and 17 assists, while Alex Ovechkin has added 14 goals and 17 assists. The projected starting goalie for Washington is Logan Thompson, who is 14-8-3 with a 2.09 goals against average and a .924 save percentage this year. 

Why the New York Rangers will win

• The Rangers have won each of their last seven road games against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The Capitals have lost two of their last three games as favorites.
• The underdogs have covered the puck line in 15 of the Rangers’ last 16 games.
• The Capitals have lost the third period in five of their last six games against Metropolitan Division opponents when tied after the second period.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Capitals’ last nine night games against Metropolitan Division opponents at Capital One Arena have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Each of the Rangers’ last 10 Tuesday night games have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Four of the last five night games between two teams from the Metropolitan Division have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in seven of the last eight games between the Rangers and Capitals at Capital One Arena.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Rangers’ last five games at Capital One Arena.

Washington Capitals Player Prop Facts

• Jakob Chychrun has scored at least one goal in six of the Capitals’ last seven games as home favorites.
• Tom Wilson has recorded an assist in each of the Capitals’ last seven games as home favorites.

New York Rangers Player Prop Facts

• Will Cuylle has scored a goal in four of the Rangers’ last five road games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• Adam Fox has recorded at least one assist in each of his last six appearances.

Rangers vs Capitals Prediction 

Washington comes into this contest after losing five of their last six games and they have scored two goals or fewer in four of their last five. The Capitals are 11-6-2 at home this year, while the Rangers are 13-6-1 on the road. New York has won two of their last three, but they have also scored two goals or fewer in four of their last five. I know New York is one of the lowest scoring teams in the NHL, but I don’t like what I am seeing from Washington and their special teams have been bad. Take the Rangers on the road.

David Racey's Pick: Rangers ML