Betting tips from AI for New Jersey Devils vs Washington Capitals, 28 December 2025.

Washington arrives in full slide — six losses in seven, a 7-3 defensive collapse and four straight road defeats — which makes their upside limited despite Ovechkin’s history vs. New Jersey.
New Jersey’s offense is blunt lately (no more than two goals in five straight), but home edge (10-7-1 at Prudential Center) and matchup control against a sputtering Caps side tilt this toward the Devils. I’ll back New Jersey at 1.83. Expect a tight, low-to-mid scoring game where home structure and goaltending outwork Washington’s erratic attack.

The New Jersey Devils are set to host a Washington Capitals team in utter disarray. The Capitals are in a freefall, having dropped six of their last seven, punctuated by a humiliating 7-3 thrashing from the Rangers where their defense completely imploded. Their road form is equally concerning, with four straight away losses and an abysmal 0-7 record in their last seven Saturday games.

While the Devils are battling a scoring drought, failing to light the lamp more than twice in five straight games, this matchup presents a golden opportunity to reignite their offense against a struggling defense. New Jersey boasts a solid 10-7-1 home record and has won three of the last five head-to-heads, including a November shootout thriller. Even with Alex Ovechkin's impressive personal history against the Devils, the Capitals' current defensive struggles and overall team form are too significant to overlook.

Betting sharps are leaning towards the Devils at 1.80 to snap their skid against this spiraling Capitals squad. Given Washington's current state and defensive issues, the Devils at home, despite their own offensive struggles, appear well-positioned to secure a much-needed victory.

The Devils enter this matchup at a critical juncture, struggling offensively yet maintaining a solid 10-7-1 home record that gives them a significant edge. Washington's recent form is alarming – losing six of their last seven with a defense that completely unraveled against the Rangers, surrendering five third-period goals. Their road woes (four straight losses) and bizarre Saturday curse (seven consecutive defeats) compound their problems.

While New Jersey's scoring has been anemic, they've historically handled Washington well, winning three of the last five meetings. The Capitals' defensive statistics (fifth in goals against) might normally provide confidence, but their recent collapse suggests systemic issues that Ovechkin's individual brilliance against the Devils (90 points in 79 career games) can't overcome.

With the Devils favored at 1.83 and the Capitals at 2.08, the value lies with New Jersey to protect home ice against a spiraling Washington team that's showing few signs of righting their ship.

The New Jersey Devils face off against a reeling Washington Capitals squad at Prudential Center, and this matchup screams value for the home side. Washington's in freefall, dropping six of their last seven games, including a brutal 7-3 shellacking by the Rangers where their defense crumbled for five third-period goals. Their road woes are glaring—four straight losses away, dragging their record to 8-6-3, and they've tanked every one of their last seven Saturday games.

Meanwhile, the Devils boast a solid 10-7-1 mark at home and have dominated three of the last five head-to-heads, including a shootout win in November. Sure, New Jersey's been in a scoring drought, failing to crack three goals in five straight, but they're desperate to break through against a Caps defense that's fifth in goals against. Ovechkin's nightmare for the Devils—with 90 points in 79 games—is a factor, but Washington's overall spiral tips the scales.

Betting sharps are leaning Devils at 1.83 to snap their skid. With the Capitals' implosion and New Jersey's home edge, this feels like a profitable spot to back the Devils for the win.

The Washington Capitals are in a severe slump, having lost six of their last seven, including a demoralizing 7-3 defeat where their defense collapsed. Their road form is poor, with four straight away losses.

While New Jersey is struggling offensively, failing to score more than twice in five games, their home record (10-7-1) and recent dominance in this matchup (winning three of the last five) provide a crucial edge. The Capitals' defensive issues are too significant to ignore, even with Ovechkin's historical success against the Devils.

The betting value at 1.83 on the Devils to capitalize on Washington's freefall is the sharp play, outweighing the high 2.08 payout on the reeling Caps.

The New Jersey Devils enter this matchup with a compelling narrative that leans in their favor. Despite their recent scoring struggles, they’ve shown resilience at home, boasting a respectable 10-7-1 record at the Prudential Center. Washington’s defensive woes have been glaring, particularly after conceding five third-period goals in their latest outing—a 7-3 rout by the Rangers. This collapse highlights systemic issues for the Capitals, who have now lost six of their last seven games.

Adding to Washington’s troubles is their road form, which has nosedived with four consecutive defeats away from home. The Devils, meanwhile, have owned three of the last five head-to-head encounters, including a thrilling shootout win earlier this season. While Alex Ovechkin historically dominates against New Jersey with 90 points in 79 career games, his current supporting cast seems ill-equipped to back him up amidst their freefall.

Betting sharps are leaning toward the Devils at 1.83, signaling confidence in their ability to snap their mini-slump. Though some experts predict a high-scoring affair favoring Washington at 2.08, the Caps’ ongoing Saturday struggles (0-7 in their last seven) make this scenario less likely. With the draw sitting at 4.10, it offers long-shot appeal but feels improbable given both teams’ tendencies to push for results.

Ultimately, the Devils’ home advantage and Washington’s spiraling form tip the scales. Backing New Jersey to edge this one appears the smarter wager.