Wednesday Night Hockey is back with only one game on the calendar - the 1-3-1 Washington Capitals are in New Jersey to take on the Devils.

New Jersey Devils vs. Washington Capitals Odds

Capitals +210 ML

Devils -250 ML

Total: O/U 6.5

New Jersey Devils vs. Washington Capitals Information

• Where is Devils vs. Captials?  Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
• When is Devils vs. Capitals? 7:30 PM ET, Wednesday, October 25
• Where can I watch Devils vs. Captials? Sportsnet+

New Jersey Devils vs. Washington Capitals Predictions

Unfortunately for the Capitals and their fans, this season has not got off to a good start. Washington is 1-3-1 and has shown no signs of progress early this season. 

Their best players - Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, T.J. Oshie, Tom Wilson, and Evgeny Kuznetsov - have combined for only six points in five games this season. The Capitals core group of players are older and starting to slow down in an NHL that continues to get faster every year. 

On the positive side, Dylan Strome and Matthew Phillips have had strong start to the 23/24 campaign. Phillips is tied for second in scoring with three points in five games despite being the smallest player in the NHL. He and Strome and developed some nice chemistry in their short time together. They're leading the offensive charge. 

The Devils are the opposite of the Capitals. 

New Jersey is a skilled, fast, young team with superstar players playing at an elite level. Jack Hughes might be the best player in the NHL right now. He's got 14 points in five games which is tied for first in the NHL. Jesper Bratt, Dougie Hamilton, and Tyler Toffoli have also got off to hot starts to their seasons. 

The Devils have had the Capitals number in recent matchups. In their last three games against each other, the Devils are 3-0-0 and have outscored the Capitals 13-7. 

I can't see the Capitals being able to keep up with a high-flying Devils team. Washington has been the worst team I've watched this season. They look slow, disinterested, and not playing as a team. The Devils should be able to win this game. Because of that, I'm picking the Devils on the puck line. 

As for a prop bet, I'm looking at Dawson Mercer as an anytime goal scorer. He has had a lot of scoring chances this season but wasn't able to cash in on them. I think the dam breaks and he scores his first goal of the season tonight. 

Robert Munnich's picks:

Devils Puck Line: Devils (-1.5) +100

Anytime Goal Scorer: Dawson Mercer 

Odds displayed within this article were correct at the time of writing and are subject to change

Robert Munnich

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