New Jersey Devils vs Washington Capitals Picks and Predictions for Saturday October 17 2026
The New Jersey Devils are going to Washington Saturday afternoon, and after what they did to the Rangers Thursday, I wouldn’t be too excited about playing them. Seven goals. The Rangers barely knew what hit them. Of course, I’ve watched enough hockey to know a team can score seven one night and struggle to get two the next. Washington’s got its own problems, though. The Capitals beat Montreal 5-4 Wednesday, but they’ve allowed 13 goals over their last three games. That’s not exactly the defense you want facing a team coming off a seven-goal night. They’ll drop the puck at 1:00 PM ET at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. The Capitals are around -127 on the moneyline, New Jersey is +117, and the total is six goals at the book we’re using. I’m looking at those prices and wondering why I’d want to lay money on Washington right now. Maybe the Capitals prove me wrong. Wouldn’t be the first time. Check out our free NHL picks for more NHL predictions throughout the season.
New Jersey Devils Finally Look Like They Remember How To Score
New Jersey is 4-3-0, with a 1-1-0 road record, and I don’t know what got into the Devils against the Rangers Thursday. They won 7-1, scored four times in the second period, and made a pretty decent New York team look awful. That’s two straight wins for New Jersey after beating Detroit 5-4 in overtime Tuesday. Before that? They couldn’t do much of anything against Ottawa in a 4-1 loss. That’s been the trouble with these Devils. One night they look terrific, the next you’re wondering where the offense went. They’ve won three of their last four, though, and I think there’s something to be said for getting a couple of wins together before going on the road.
The Devils have scored 23 goals in seven games and allowed 23. So they’re scoring 3.29 a night, but they’re also giving up the same amount. Not exactly the sort of thing that makes you comfortable betting on them. What I do like is how many shots they’re getting. New Jersey was averaging better than 35 shots per game through its first six. They’re not just hanging around waiting for a lucky bounce. They get the puck toward the net and keep coming. The power play was clicking at 23.8%, which is pretty good, but that penalty kill sitting around 70.6% is ugly. Washington may not have the greatest power play in hockey, but you give anybody enough chances with an extra skater and eventually they’re going to make you pay.
New Jersey’s leading scorer had eight points through the first six games, with two goals and six assists. The Devils also have a couple of forwards getting plenty of shots, and they’ve finally started getting some help from the rest of the lineup. That’s how you end up scoring seven against somebody. The goaltending? Well, that’s another conversation. Their main starter came into the week with a 2.98 goals-against average and an .885 save percentage. You’d like something better than that. Connor Brown is out with a lower-body injury, Nick Bjugstad has a pectoral injury, and Seamus Casey is recovering from knee surgery. Luke Evangelista has also been dealing with an illness. There’s enough offense here to beat Washington, but I’d feel a whole lot better if I knew which version of the Devils’ goaltending we were getting Saturday.
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Washington Capitals Keep Making Things Hard On Themselves
Washington is 4-3-0 overall and 3-1-0 at home. That’s a pretty good home record, and I’m not going to pretend it doesn’t matter. But have you watched their last few games? They lost 5-3 to Seattle, followed that with a 4-2 loss to Carolina, and then barely got past Montreal 5-4 Wednesday. The Canadiens kept coming, and Washington couldn’t seem to put them away. The Capitals have given up four or more goals twice in three games, and they’ve needed their offense to bail them out. Now they’re getting a New Jersey team that’s scored 12 goals in two games. I’d be a little nervous about that if I were sitting behind the Washington bench.
Washington is scoring 3.43 goals per game and allowing 3.14. That’s not terrible, but it’s not what I’d expect from a team I’m being asked to lay -127 on either. The Capitals are getting about 26 shots per game and allowing almost 30. Compare that to New Jersey, which has been firing more than 35, and you can see where I’m going with this. Washington’s power play is only converting 15.8% of its chances. That’s pretty disappointing, especially with some of the offensive talent they’ve got. The penalty kill has been better at 83.3%, and that could help against the Devils. Still, I’m looking at the shots Washington is giving up, and I don’t like it. You can’t keep letting opponents spend that much time around your net and expect your goalie to clean up every mess.
The Capitals have gotten five goals from their leading scorer through seven games, and their top playmaker has five assists. They’re getting some help from the blue line, too, which they’ve needed with the way the forwards have been playing defensively. Their top goalie has three wins, a 2.84 goals-against average, and a .904 save percentage. Not bad. Certainly better than New Jersey’s numbers. Matt Roy is dealing with a lower-body injury, Rasmus Sandin is out following knee surgery, and Pierre-Luc Dubois has been sick. Patrick Thomas is also on injured reserve. Losing defensemen doesn’t help when you’re already allowing nearly 30 shots a game. Washington can absolutely win this one. I just don’t like how much work they’re making their goaltenders do.
New Jersey Devils vs Washington Capitals Picks and Predictions
New Jersey Devils Moneyline (+117)
Give me New Jersey. I know, Washington is 3-1 at home, and the Devils haven’t exactly been trustworthy this season. But look at what we’re dealing with here. New Jersey has scored 12 goals in two games, and Washington has allowed 13 in three. The Devils are getting plenty of shots, too. More than 35 per game through their first six, while Washington has been giving up close to 30. That’s not a matchup I’d want if I were backing the Capitals. Now, the Devils’ goaltending worries me. A lot. Washington can score, and if New Jersey starts taking penalties, this could turn ugly in a hurry. But we’re getting +117 on a team that’s won three of four and just hammered the Rangers. Meanwhile, Washington is asking us to lay money on a club that’s been struggling to keep the puck out of its own net. I don’t love every part of New Jersey’s game, but at that price, I’ll take the Devils.
Over 6 Goals (-100)
I’m not expecting a goaltending clinic Saturday. New Jersey has scored 12 goals in its last two games, Washington has given up 13 in three, and neither team has been particularly good at keeping opponents away from the net. The Devils’ penalty kill has been a mess, and Washington has enough scoring ability to take advantage of that. On the other end, New Jersey is getting a ton of shots, and the Capitals haven’t been doing much to stop that from happening. Could this turn into one of those annoying 2-1 afternoon games? Sure. Hockey does that to you. Maybe both goalies stand on their heads and make us look foolish. But I’m not betting on it. I think we’re looking at something closer to 4-3, maybe even 5-3 if the defenses keep playing the way they have. Six goals gets our money back, and seven cashes the ticket. I’ll take the over.
Final Picks: New Jersey Devils Moneyline (+117) and Over 6 Goals (-100)
This article was completed on October 16, 2026. Betting odds, starting goaltenders, injury reports, and other game information may change before puck drop.
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