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Vegas (28-16-14) at Washington (30-23-7)
- When: Feb 27 2026, 7:00 PM
- Where: Capital One Arena, Washington, DC, USA
- TV: MNMT
Vegas vs Washington NHL Preview & Pick
Moneyline: Washington -120
Spread: Washington -1.5 (+220)
Total: 6.0
Washington Capitals Betting Outlook
The Washington Capitals return home riding a four game home winning streak and they are right in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff chase. Friday night brings a serious measuring stick with the Pacific Division leading Vegas Golden Knights coming to town. Washington enters as a slight Moneyline favorite at -120, and the total is set at 6.0, which signals a tight, playoff style matchup on paper.
Coming out of the Olympic break, Washington wasted no time making a statement with a 3 to 1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. That victory pulled them within two points of the New York Islanders for third place in the Metropolitan Division and just two points back of the Boston Bruins for a wild card spot. Every game carries weight right now, and the Capitals know they cannot afford to drop points.
Trevor van Riemsdyk delivered the decisive blow against Philadelphia, scoring his first game winning goal since 2018 to snap a late 1 to 1 tie. Logan Thompson celebrated his 29th birthday by turning aside 23 shots. Thompson has allowed one goal or fewer in 14 games this season, a stat that jumps off the page for bettors evaluating the total. That type of consistency in net gives Washington a chance to grind out low scoring wins.
What makes that recent victory more impressive is that it came without John Carlson due to a lower body injury and without Tom Wilson because of illness. Both are expected back soon, which only strengthens Washington’s position moving forward.
Vegas Golden Knights Betting Outlook
Vegas rolls into the capital on a three game winning streak and fresh off a 6 to 4 win over the Los Angeles Kings to open a five game road trip. The Golden Knights are five points clear atop the Pacific Division, and they continue to show depth even when missing key names.
Pavel Dorofeyev is having a breakout season with 28 goals, including 15 on the power play, which is a franchise single season record. He scored twice against the Kings and netted the eventual game winner during a five goal third period. That offensive burst showed how dangerous this team can be when the tempo opens up.
Vegas managed that six goal effort despite being without Jack Eichel, Noah Hanifin, Mark Stone, Mitch Marner and Shea Theodore, all of whom are expected to be available for this matchup. Getting those elite pieces back into the lineup raises the ceiling significantly for an already balanced roster.
Historically, Vegas holds a 9 and 5 edge in the all time series, though they have won only three of seven on the road in this matchup.
Prediction and Betting Angle
With Washington priced at minus 120 at home, the market is signaling respect for their defensive structure and goaltending. Logan Thompson’s form suggests this could stay tight, and both teams are jockeying for playoff positioning.
The total of 6.0 feels sharp, but with Thompson’s consistency and the stakes this high, I lean toward a controlled pace rather than a shootout.
I am backing Washington on the Moneyline at -120 in a competitive game that likely stays around the number.
Score Prediction: Capitals 3, Golden Knights 2
Pick: Washington ML (-120)
Total: Under 6.0 (-117)
- NHL Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
