Nashville Predators vs Washington Capitals Picks and Predictions January 11th 2025

Nashville Predators vs Washington Capitals January 11th 2025

Planning on watching today’s Capitals and Predators game? Catch the action at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN, as the Predators hosts this showdown at 8:00 ET on ESPN+. The over/under for this non-conference contest is set at 5.5 goals, with the Predators being the favored by -1.5 goals against the Capitals.

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Washington vs. Nashville Key Information

• Teams: Capitals at Predators
• Where: Bridgestone Arena Nashville
• Date: Saturday, January 11th
• Betting Odds NAS -126 | WAS +105 O/U 5.5

The Capitals Can Win If…

Washington fell to 27-10-5 after a 4-2 loss to the Hurricanes. The Capitals had the lead after the first period, but Carolina scored the final three goals to secure the win.

The total for the game was set at 6 goals, and the combined score hit that number exactly. Washington, as the underdog on the puck line, failed to cover.

Washington’s offense was held to just two goals in their 4-2 loss to Carolina, both coming in the first period. Alex Ovechkin netted his 7th goal of the season on a power play, while Brandon Duhaime followed with his 2nd goal.

The Capitals managed 21 shots on goal but struggled with 15 giveaways. John Carlson picked up his 7th assist on Ovechkin’s goal, and Dylan Strome added his 13th assist.

Defensively, the Capitals will be looking to bounce back after allowing four goals to the Hurricanes in their previous game. They gave up two goals in the 2nd period and another late in the 3rd. Charlie Lindgren made 41 saves with a 93.2% save percentage, but Washington’s defense also allowed 44 shots on goal. They finished with 2 takeaways and 20 hits.

• The Capitals have gone 1-2 over their last three regular season games. This includes going 0-3 vs. the puck line along with an over-under mark of 1-2.
• Over their last ten regular season games, the Capitals have gone 5-5 straight up. In these matchups, they ended with an puck line record of 4-6 and an over-under mark of 5-5.

The Predators Can Win If…

Nashville improved to 13-21-7 with a 5-2 road win over the Avalanche. The Predators covered the puck line as -1.5 goal favorites, and the total of 6.5 goals was surpassed with the game’s 7 combined goals.

After falling behind 1-0 in the second period, Nashville responded with five different players scoring. They tied the game at 11:29 in the second period and took the lead at 1:20 in the same period.

Nashville’s offense found the net five times in their latest game, with each goal coming from a different player. Gustav Nyquist scored his 4th goal of the season on an empty net, while Filip Forsberg added his 7th, also on an empty net. Roman Josi notched his first goal of the year, and Steven Stamkos picked up his 2nd, with Colton Sissons scoring his 1st.

The Predators took 25 shots on goal and scored twice on power plays. After a scoreless first period, they got on the board with a power-play goal by Stamkos, followed by Sissons’ first goal of the season. Josi added another power-play goal in the third period.

The Predators’ defense gave up the first goal 2:54 into the second period and another late in the third, but they held strong in the first and secured a 5-2 win with two empty-net goals. Juuse Saros made 29 saves with a 93.5% save percentage, and the defense added 4 takeaways and 23 hits.

• Over their last three games, the Predators have gone 2-1 straight up. This also includes going 2-1 puck line and an over-under mark of 1-2.
• Nashville has put together a record of 5-5 in their last ten games (regular season). In these contests, the team went just 4-6 against the spread, while going 5-5 on the over-under.

The Lean

When making a moneyline pick, my choice is the Predators to come out with a win against the Capitals while playing at home. Considering the moneyline odds at -126, I’m placing my bet on the Predators to win outright.

For my recommended choice in the puck line, I’m leaning towards the Capitals to cover. Even if the Predators secure a straight-up win, this game is expected to be tightly contested, and the Capitals should cover the puck line.

If you’re looking at the over/under line set at 5.5 goals, our prediction is that this game will exceed that mark, and we strongly advise placing a bet on the over.

Daily NHL Picks & Predictions

Predators Return Home to Face Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals After Grueling Road Trip

The Nashville Predators are set to begin a five-game homestand at Bridgestone Arena, welcoming Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals on Saturday night. After a challenging six-game road trip, the Predators are eager to reset in front of their home crowd. Meanwhile, the Capitals head to Nashville riding a six-game point streak, even as injuries test their depth.

Predators Seek Momentum at Home

The Predators wrapped up their road trip with a 5-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday, finishing 2-4-0 during the stretch. While the team showed glimpses of strong play, inconsistency continues to hinder their progress. Captain Roman Josi, who tallied a goal and an assist against Winnipeg, emphasized the importance of this homestand.

“It’s going to be nice to be home,” Josi said. “It feels like we’ve been on the road a lot lately, and it’ll be great to play in front of our fans and at Bridgestone for a couple of games.”

Despite a solid effort, the Predators conceded two goals in just 16 seconds during the first period against Winnipeg, a lapse head coach Andrew Brunette acknowledged as costly.

“We played fast and had the puck a lot, but giving up two quick goals like that is never a recipe for success,” Brunette remarked.

Capitals Overcoming Adversity

The Capitals arrive in Nashville fresh off a 3-2 overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Friday night. The game extended their point streak to six games (3-0-3) and their home point streak to ten (7-0-3). Head coach Spencer Carbery praised his team’s resilience but acknowledged the need for improvement.

“It’s really difficult to get points in this league, especially playing the way we are right now,” Carbery said. “We’ve got to get some guys going and turn their seasons around.”

A notable highlight for Washington was forward Ethan Frank’s NHL debut. Frank earned an assist on Lars Eller’s game-tying goal in the third period, showcasing his speed and hockey sense.

“He was arguably our best player on the ice,” Carbery said of Frank. “He’s the reason we tied that game. I thought he was fantastic.”

Player Updates and Key Performances

Capitals:

• Alex Ovechkin remains the centerpiece, sitting 23 goals shy of surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL record of 894 goals. Ovechkin’s pursuit of history adds weight to every Capitals game.
• Goaltender Charlie Lindgren is being evaluated after suffering an upper-body injury during Friday’s game. Backup Logan Thompson stepped in and made 18 saves in relief.
• Defenseman Jakob Chychrun and forward Lars Eller have been key contributors, each scoring in the overtime loss against Montreal.

Predators:

• Filip Forsberg snapped an 18-game goal drought against Winnipeg, a much-needed boost for the star forward. He has 10 goals in 41 games this season, far off his 48-goal performance from 2023-24.
• Steven Stamkos, who signed with Nashville in the offseason, was absent from Thursday’s practice for routine rest. He has been productive, posting 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in his past 13 games.
• Luke Evangelista, sidelined with a lower-body injury, will miss four weeks, a blow to the team’s depth.

What to Watch For

1. Home-Ice Advantage: Nashville’s return to Bridgestone Arena is critical. With a supportive crowd and familiar conditions, the Predators hope to stabilize and reclaim momentum.
2. Capitals’ Resilience: Washington’s ability to grind out points, even amid injuries and offensive struggles, has been a defining feature. The Predators’ defense will need to contain their high-pressure style.
3. Milestone Watch: Ovechkin’s pursuit of Gretzky’s record adds drama to every game, keeping the spotlight firmly on the Capitals’ captain.

Coaches’ Perspectives

Brunette has emphasized eliminating defensive lapses and capitalizing on scoring chances as keys to success. For Carbery, the focus remains on revitalizing underperforming players and maintaining the team’s defensive structure during this challenging stretch.

Predictions and Implications

For the Predators, this game marks an opportunity to turn the page on a frustrating road trip. A win could set the tone for a successful homestand and boost their standing in the tightly contested Central Division. The Capitals, meanwhile, aim to extend their point streak and overcome injury challenges, with Ovechkin continuing his historic march.