Stanley Cup betting: Rangers vs. Capitals Game 3 odds, preview, prediction for Friday 4/26

Rangers vs. Capitals Odds

Friday, April 26, 7 p.m. ET, TNT

Odds via FanDuel. Get up-to-the-minute NHL odds here.

New York Rangers

In the first two games of the series, the Rangers outscored the Capitals 8-4. Igor Shesterkin was solid in net, with 1.1 goals saved above expected, and while no other series has featured more special-teams play, the Rangers' edge came only from K'Andre Miller's shorthanded tally in Game 2, which stood up as the game winner.

The Rangers averaged 6.5 more shots per game and dominated in the faceoff circle, Lafrenière 56.5% of their draws. And they're getting balanced production. Eight different players have scored so far, while Mika Zibanejad, Vincent Trocheck and Alexis Lafreniere lead the way with three points each.

Roster-wise, the big news at Thursday's practice was Filip Chytil skating in the third-line center spot, in place of Alexander Wennberg. Coach Peter Laviolette said Wennberg's absence was just for 'maintenance.' But after being sidelined since early November with a head injury, Chytil was a full participant in practice and is traveling to Washington, so there's a chance he could draw in for Game 3.

Washington Capitals

Charlie Lindgren's heroics in net got the Capitals into the playoffs, but has he started to wear down after 52 games played this year? He's facing some sharpshooters on the other side, but through the first two games of the series, Lindgren has a 4.12 goals-against average and minus-2.8 goals saved above expected, third lowest of all the playoff goaltenders.

Lindgren has started Washington's last eight games, so there's no reason to think he won't get the starting nod in front of the home fans Friday.

The other key player who needs a boost is Alex Ovechkin — pointless through the first two games of the series, with just one shot on goal. Ovechkin told the media Thursday that he has been feeling 'not good' so far, but is preaching patience and Washington's need to simplify its game.

And while they didn't come out on the right side of the final score, the Capitals should be buoyed by the fact that they controlled a solid 59.42% of expected goals at 5-on-5 in Game 2, and matched the Rangers' two power-play goals with a pair of their own.

Look for Washington to make at least one roster change Friday, swapping rookie Ivan Miroshnichenko onto the fourth line in place of Nicolas Aube-Kubel. The 20-year-old posted six points in 21 games with the Capitals this season.

Sonny Milano missed practice Thursday for a maintenance day, but on the blue line, the Capitals remain thin. Rasmus Sandin and Nick Jensen skated again in non-contact jerseys, with no update on their status, and Vincent Iorio is expected to miss his second game with an upper-body issue.

Rangers vs. Capitals

Betting Pick & Prediction

Despite the change of venues, the Capitals remain hefty underdogs for Game 3. They opened at +160 on the moneyline, but the margin has shrunk a bit since then.

That being said, the margin of play between the two teams shrunk significantly Tuesday. With the knowledge that they can play with the Rangers, and the boost that comes from being back in front of their home fans, can the Capitals seize the moment and add some spice to this series?

For Washington to have a chance, Lindgren will need to out-duel Shesterkin — and he did play better on home ice during the regular season, posting a record of 14-7-4 and a 2.52 goals-against average compared to 11-9-3 and 2.82 on the road.

Getting Ovechkin back on track is also crucial. At nearly a point per game in his 149-game playoff career, history suggests he won't stay silent forever.

The task won't be easy, but Washington has played well enough to justify a moneyline wager for home ice in Game 3, if the price is right.

Pick: Capitals Moneyline (+146 at FanDuel | Play down to +130)