Edmonton Oilers vs Washington Capitals Picks and Predictions January 21st 2025

Edmonton Oilers vs Washington Capitals January 21st 2025

Looking to win big? The Capitals and Oilers face off at 9:00 ET on ESPN+. The Oilers are hosting the game at Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB. The over/under for this game is set at 5.5 goals, and the Oilers are favored by -1.5 vs. the Capitals in a non-conference matchup.

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Washington vs. Edmonton Key Information

• Teams: Capitals at Oilers
• Where: Rogers Place Edmonton
• Date: Tuesday, January 21st
• Betting Odds EDM -135 | WAS +114 O/U 5.5

The Capitals Can Win If…

Following a 4-2 loss to the Hurricanes, the Capitals now stand at 31-10-5. Washington’s defense struggled, allowing 44 shots on goal. The total for the game was set at 6 goals, and the combined score matched that number, resulting in a push. As the underdogs on the puck line, the Capitals failed to cover.

Washington’s offense showed promise early, scoring twice in the first period, but they couldn’t find the net again. The Hurricanes scored first, but Alex Ovechkin tied it up with just 44 seconds left in the first period. The Capitals then took the lead with 11 seconds remaining, only to give up three unanswered goals.

Alex Ovechkin netted his 7th goal of the season on a power play, while Brandon Duhaime added his 2nd goal in Washington’s 4-2 loss to Carolina. The Capitals took 21 shots on goal and had 15 giveaways.

Ovechkin scored at the 19:16 mark of the first period, with John Carlson earning his 7th assist and Dylan Strome picking up his 13th. Duhaime followed with a goal at 19:49, with Nic Dowd assisting for the second time this season.

Defensively, the Capitals will look to bounce back after allowing four goals to the Hurricanes, including three unanswered to end the game. Charlie Lindgren made 41 saves with a 93.2% save percentage, but the defense gave up 44 shots on goal. They also recorded 2 takeaways and 20 hits.

• Through their last three games, the Capitals have a record of 3-0. This also includes going 3-0 puck line and an over-under mark of 0-3.
• Across Washington’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 7-3. Their record vs the puck line sits at 6-4 in these matchups, while posting a 3-7 over-under mark.

The Oilers Can Win If…

Edmonton improved to 29-14-3 with a 4-2 win over the Flames. The Oilers covered the puck line as -1.5 goal favorites, and the total of 6.5 goals was not reached, as the teams combined for 6 goals.

All four of Edmonton’s goals were scored by different players. The Oilers had a 2-0 lead before Calgary tied it up, but Zach Hyman’s goal in the third period put Edmonton ahead for good. Mattias Janmark added an empty-net goal with just 3 seconds left to seal the win.

Edmonton’s offense took 31 shots on goal and found the net four times in their 4-2 win over Calgary. The Oilers opened the scoring early, with Leon Draisaitl netting his 9th goal of the season just 20 seconds into the game. Jeff Skinner followed with his 3rd goal at the 11:48 mark in the first period.

Zach Hyman added his 3rd goal of the season on a power play in the third period, and Mattias Janmark sealed the game with an empty-netter, his 2nd goal of the year, with just 3 seconds left. Draisaitl also contributed two assists, bringing his total to 8 for the season.

Edmonton’s defense will look to build on their last performance, where they allowed just 2 goals to Calgary. Stuart Skinner made 29 saves with a 93.5% save percentage, and the Oilers’ defense added 2 takeaways, 19 hits, and 25 blocks. Both goals came after Edmonton had taken a 2-0 lead, with the first coming 4:33 into the 2nd period and the second 4:28 into the 3rd.

• Edmonton has put together a record of 2-1 over their past three games. Their strong play has also resulted in an puck line mark of 2-1 (last 3). They had an over/under mark of 2-1 in those same games.
• Across Edmonton’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 8-2. Across these games, their puck line record was just 5-5, while posting an over-under record of 4-6.

The Lean

For a moneyline bet, I’m backing the Oilers to secure a victory over the Capitals at home. With the moneyline currently set at -135, I’m locking in my bet on the Oilers straight-up.

If you’re looking for my recommendation on the puck line, I suggest taking the Capitals to cover. Even if the Oilers manage to win outright, this game is expected to remain competitive, and the Capitals should cover the puck line.

For those looking at the over/under line set at 5.5 goals, our expectation is that this game will surpass that mark, and we suggest making a bet on the over.

Daily NHL Picks & Predictions from The Best Expert Hockey Handicappers

Caps Begin Road Trip Against Oilers, McDavid Out

The Washington Capitals open a five-game road trip on Tuesday night against the Edmonton Oilers, who will be without their star captain, Connor McDavid.

Washington Capitals: Momentum and Depth

The Capitals (28-8-5) come into Edmonton riding a four-game win streak and a 10-game point streak (7-0-3). Their most recent victory was a 4-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday, highlighted by strong defensive play and late offensive bursts.

Forward Tom Wilson praised the team’s consistency: “No matter what type of game it is, we find a way to win. We gave them life but squashed it and answered with a good win.”

Aliaksei Protas and Pierre-Luc Dubois each contributed a goal and an assist in the Penguins win, while goalie Logan Thompson extended his dominant form with 18 saves. Thompson, the NHL’s First Star of the Week, went 3-0-0 with a 0.33 goals-against average and a .984 save percentage.

Thompson’s performance raises a question for coach Spencer Carbery: stick with the hot hand or rotate goalies now that Charlie Lindgren is back from injury. Meanwhile, Alex Ovechkin, with 874 career goals, edges closer to Wayne Gretzky’s record of 894.

Edmonton Oilers: Missing McDavid

The Oilers (21-15-3) are without Connor McDavid, who received a three-game suspension for a cross-checking incident in Saturday’s 3-2 loss to Vancouver. McDavid’s absence leaves a significant void as he’s the team’s second-leading scorer with 20 goals and 45 assists.

Leon Draisaitl will need to carry the offensive load. Draisaitl scored twice against Vancouver and has 33 goals this season, including a six-game point streak (four goals, six assists). “Leon’s been exceptional,” coach Kris Knoblauch said. “He’s a big part of our success these last few months.”

Edmonton’s recent games highlight a troubling trend of falling behind early. The Oilers have trailed by at least two goals in three straight games, putting pressure on their offense to rally. Goalie Stuart Skinner, who made 24 saves against Vancouver, will also need to step up in McDavid’s absence.

Key Matchup Factors

• Capitals’ Defense: Washington’s ability to control the neutral zone and limit high-danger chances will be critical, especially with McDavid sidelined.
• Draisaitl’s Leadership: The Oilers’ success will hinge on Draisaitl’s ability to generate offense and inspire his teammates.
• Goaltending Duel: Both teams’ goalies will play pivotal roles. Thompson’s hot streak and Skinner’s need to rise to the occasion could dictate the outcome.

Prediction

The Capitals’ depth and momentum make them favorites, especially with McDavid out of the lineup. Edmonton’s home-ice advantage and Draisaitl’s brilliance could keep it close, but Washington’s balanced attack and strong goaltending should prevail. Expect a hard-fought game with the Capitals coming out on top.