Rangers and Capitals renew acquaintances to open the 2021-22 NHL season

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The line for this one is dead even… whether you want to bet on the Capitals or the Rangers, you’re taking them at -110 this week. 

It’s a set of dead even opponents with very different routes to get here. 

The Capitals have been the class of the Metro Division for years. A 2018 Stanley Cup win, and a team carried by electrifying superstars. 

The Rangers haven’t made the NHL quarterfinal in four seasons. 

But they’ve been galvanized by Norris trophy winner Adam Fox, and former 40-goal scorer Mika Zibanejad, along with young talent like Kaapo Kakkoand and Alexis Lafreniere. 

New York is slated to entertain Broadway with tons of wins in the coming years.

But the big question — are they READY for the next step? Can they contend with the big boys of the division?

It’s tough to pick, but with Ovechkin as a game-time decision, this game could go New York’s way.

It may signal a changing of the guard in one of the NHL’s most competitive divisions 

Here is my pick: 

• Take New York for the win at -110