In this article, we will formulate a Panthers vs Capitals Prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, January 17th. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Washington Capitals Preview
The Capitals have 54 points this season with a 24-18-6 record, and are 25-23 ATS and 21-24 in over/under. They have a 14-9-3 home record and a 10-9-3 road record and are sitting 4th in the Metropolitan Division. They are coming off a 3-2 home loss to the Sharks, and their previous three games were a 3-2 home overtime win over the Canadiens, a 3-2 road loss to the Predators, and a 5-1 road win over the Blackhawks.
Offensively, the Capitals are averaging 3.23 goals per game and are scoring 15.8% of their power play opportunities. Defensively, they are allowing 2.77 goals per game and are killing 77.8% of their opponent’s power plays.
Tom Wilson leads the Capitals with 42 points, also leading the team in goals with 22, while John Carlson leads the team in assists with 27. Logan Thompson is the starting goalie for the Capitals, and he has a 17-13-4 record, with 2.36 GAA and .915 SV%. Charlie Lindgren is the backup goalie and he has a 7-5-2 record, with 3.13 GAA and .888 SV%.
Florida Panthers Preview
The Panthers have 51 points this season with a 24-19-3 record, and are 17-28 ATS and 24-20 in over/under. They have a 14-9-3 home record and a 10-10 road record and are sitting 7th in the Atlantic Division. They are coming off a 9-1 road loss to the Hurricanes, and their previous three games were a 4-3 road win over the Sabres, a 3-2 road win over the Senators, and a 6-2 road loss to the Canadiens.
Offensively, the Panthers are averaging 3.00 goals per game and are scoring 18.1% of their power play opportunities. Defensively, they are allowing 3.33 goals per game and are killing 81.8% of their opponent’s power plays.
Brad Marchand leads the Panthers with 46 points, also leading the team in assists with 23, while Sam Reinhart leads the team in goals with 24. Sergei Bobrovsky is the starting goalie for the Panthers, and he has a 19-13-1 record, with 3.09 GAA and .875 SV%. Daniil Tarasov is the backup goalie and he has a 5-6-2 record, with 2.81 GAA and .904 SV%.
Florida Panthers @ Washington Capitals Betting Trends: January 17, 2026
Why the Washington Capitals will win
- The Panthers have lost each of their last eight road games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Capitals have won eight of their last nine games when playing with a rest advantage against Panthers.
- The Panthers have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last six games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The home team has covered the puck line in each of the last four games between the Panthers and Capitals.
- The Capitals have won the third period in each of their last five games following a loss.
Why the Florida Panthers will win
- The underdogs have won seven of the Panthers’ last eight games.
- The Capitals have lost each of their last six Saturday games as favorites.
- The Panthers have covered the puck line in 14 of their last 15 games as underdogs following a road loss.
- The Capitals have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last four games when playing with a rest advantage.
- The Panthers have won the second period in each of their last four games as underdogs following a road loss.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Capitals’ last 10 games against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Seven of the Panthers’ last eight games against Metropolitan Division opponents have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Capitals’ last 10 games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Panthers’ last eight games against Eastern Conference opponents.
Washington Capitals Player Prop Facts
- Aliaksei Protas has scored a goal in six of the Capitals’ last seven games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Tom Wilson has recorded an assist in each of his last eight appearances with the Capitals as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
Florida Panthers Player Prop Facts
- Luke Kunin has scored a goal in four of his five previous appearances with his team as an underdog against the Capitals.
- Brad Marchand has recorded an assist in each of his last four appearances against Metropolitan Division opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Washington Capitals rank T27th in the league in power play percentage this season (15.83%).
- The Washington Capitals rank T7th in the league for goals against per game this season (2.77).
- The Florida Panthers rank T27th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.33).
- The Florida Panthers rank 8th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (81.76%).
Panthers vs Capitals Prediction
The Panthers have won both meetings against the Capitals this season, both at home by 6-3 and 5-3 and are 7-3 in their last 10 meetings.
In this Panthers vs Capitals Prediction, the Capitals are coming as -140 home favorites. Both teams have exactly 24 overall wins so far and the Capitals have been playing better hockey at home, but they are just 4-6 in their last 10 games. The Panthers have been below average lately as well, with a 3-5 record in their last 8 games, so I see no value on either side. Both offenses have been struggling lately and the Capitals’ last five games have gone under the total, so I expect a low-scoring game between two struggling teams. Take the under 5.5 in this one.