Red Wings vs Capitals Prediction 1/29/26 NHL Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Red Wings vs Capitals prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, January 29th at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

Detroit Red Wings Betting Preview

The Detroit Red Wings are 32-17-5 this year after they lost to Los Angeles by a score of 3-1 in their last game. Detroit cut the deficit to 2-1 late in the third period, but they allowed an empty net goal to seal the loss. The Red Wings out shot LA by a total of 28-22, won 68.5% of the face-offs, and went 0-4 on the power play in the game. Detroit got their lone goal from DeBrincat, while Gibson stopped 19 out of 21 shots, which was a .905 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Detroit defeated the Jets by a score of 5-1, but lost to the Wild by a score of 4-3 before that. The Red Wings have lost two of their last three games and they are currently second in the Atlantic standings with 69 points. Detroit has scored 3.07 goals per game and they have allowed 2.96 goals against per game, while also going 24.1% on the power play and 79.0% on the penalty kill this season. Lucas Raymond has led Detroit with 18 goals and 40 assists, while Alex DeBrincat has added 28 goals and 26 assists. The projected starting goalie for Detroit is John Gibson, who is 21-10-1 with a 2.61 goals against average and a .906 save percentage this year. 

Washington Capitals Betting Preview

The Washington Capitals are 25-22-7 this season after they lost to Seattle by a score of 5-1 in their last game. Washington cut the deficit to 3-1 in the third period, but they allowed the last two goals in the loss. The Capitals were out shot by a total of 32-20, won 50.9% of the face-offs, and went 1-5 on the power play in the game. Washington got their lone goal from Ovechkin, while Thompson stopped 27 out of 32 shots, which was an .844 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Washington lost to the Oilers by a score of 6-5, but did beat the Flames by a score of 3-1 before that. The Capitals have lost six of their last seven games and they are currently sixth in the Metro standings with 57 points. Washington has scored 3.17 goals per game and they have allowed 2.94 goals against per game, while also going 16.9% on the power play and 77.7% on the penalty kill this season. Tom Wilson has led the team with 22 goals and 24 assists, while Alex Ovechkin has added 22 goals and 23 assists. The projected starting goalie for Washington is Logan Thompson, who is 18-16-4 with a 2.46 goals against average and a .912 save percentage this season. 

Why the Detroit Red Wings will win

• The Red Wings have won each of their last seven night games following a loss.
• The Capitals have lost six of their last seven games.
• The Red Wings have covered the puck line in six of their last seven games against the Capitals following a loss.
• The Capitals have failed to cover the puck line in four of their last five night games against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The Capitals have lost the third period in each of their last five games as underdogs.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Red Wings’ last four games against the Capitals following a loss have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Each of the Capitals’ last four games as underdogs following a road loss have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Red Wings’ last eight games as favorites against opponents on a losing streak.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Capitals’ last seven games against Eastern Conference opponents.

Detroit Red Wings Player Prop Facts

• Alex DeBrincat has scored a goal in each of the Red Wings’ last four home games.
• Patrick Kane has recorded at least one assist in five of his last six home appearances against the Capitals.

Washington Capitals Player Prop Facts

• Alex Ovechkin has scored at least one goal in four of the Capitals’ last five night games at Little Caesars Arena.
• Dylan Strome has recorded at least one assist in each of the Capitals’ last four games against the Red Wings.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Detroit Red Wings rank 6th in the league in power play percentage this season (24.12%).
• The Detroit Red Wings have recorded the equal-most wins when trailing after Period 1 this season (7).
• The Washington Capitals rank 26th in the league in power play percentage this season (16.88%).
• The Washington Capitals held the NHL’s worst record in games that have gone to shootout this season (0-5).

Red Wings vs Capitals Prediction 

Washington comes into this matchup after losing six of their last seven games and they have allowed at least four goals in four of their last five. The Capitals are 11-12-4 on the road this year, while the Red Wings are 18-9-1 at home. Detroit has dropped two of their last three games and they have gone to overtime in three of their last five. The Red Wings have been in a ton of close games recently, but I don’t trust Washington during this rough patch. Take Detroit to win at home.