New York Rangers vs Washington Capitals Prediction, 12/31/2025 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: New York Rangers vs Washington Capitals

Date: Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Location: Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

TV: Monumental Sports Network

Odds/Point Spread: Rangers (+126) Capitals (-152)

Capital One Arena is where the Washington Capitals (20-13-5) will try to defeat the New York Rangers (19-17-4) on Wednesday. The line on this matchup has New York at +126 while Washington is at -152. The total is 6.

The New York Rangers will be looking to get a win in their next outing after their 2-0 loss against the Islanders their last time out. New York compiled 12 minutes in the box in this contest. Additionally, they had 3 power play attempts but weren't able to score a goal. The Rangers left a lot to be desired in terms of their offense in the defeat. In the game, they weren't able to score on any of the 27 shots they put on goal.

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New York Rangers opponents have earned 114 power play tries (16th in pro hockey) and have scored 21 goals in those attempts. The Rangers have had 1,129 shots taken against them and have earned a save percentage of .905. New York has taken 1,042 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 9.8%. While at even strength, the Rangers have allowed the opponent to score 86 goals while getting 84 as an offensive unit. New York has accounted for 98 power play opportunities and they have tallied 18 goals during those advantages, garnering them a rate of 18.37%. For the current season, they have accumulated 42 points and their points percentage comes in at .525. In regard to their goal scoring prowess, the New York Rangers have accumulated 102 goals (27th in the league) so far this year and have surrendered 107.

The man protecting the goal in this game is Igor Shesterkin. The opposition has scored 748 goals against Shesterkin in his professional hockey career and his average for goals against per game is 2.49. Shesterkin has played in 305 games throughout his hockey career. His save percentage sits at .917 for his 14,600 mins on the ice. He has an overall record of 178-100-25 and he started in 300 games. Over the course of his time in hockey, Shesterkin has recorded 189 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .630. Shesterkin has seen 8,973 shots against him and he has 8,225 total saves.

Their last time out, Washington opposed the Devils in a game where the Capitals took home the win by a final of 4-3. They had 1 power play opportunity in this contest but weren't able to finish one of them with a goal. The Capitals tallied 4 goals out of the 33 shots on goal they took.

Washington has attempted 1,116 shots (8th in professional hockey) and has accumulated a shooting percentage of 10.84%, while allowing the opposition 1,052 shots. They have a penalty kill rate of 76.27% on the other teams 118 chances on the power play, and their save percentage comes in at 90.3%. They have a total of 106 power play chances and they have accumulated a power play percentage of 15.09%. The Capitals are sitting with 105 goals at even strength and 16 goals (29th in professional hockey) while on the power play. They have allowed 102 goals to be scored by of a combination of 74 goals at even strength and 28 goals while they were shorthanded. For the season, the Washington Capitals have tallied 121 goals, 45 points, in addition to a points percentage of .592.

On the other side of the ice you are going to see Logan Thompson protecting the net. His opponents are averaging 2.62 goals per contest and he has conceded 429 goals in total. Thompson's percentage of quality starts is 62.8% and he has made 103 quality starting assignments in his pro hockey career. He has started in 164 contests and has played 7,804 mins. Thompson is the owner of a lifetime record of 102-47-20 and has played in 173 games. He has compiled 4,470 stops out of the 4,899 shots attempted, giving him a rate of .912.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Tony's Pick: Take New York (+126)

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