| MATCHUP | Nashville Predators | Washington Capitals |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 26-23-7 | 28-23-7 |
| Spread | +1.5 -162 | -1.5 136 |
| Moneyline | +154 | -185 |
| Total | Over 6.5 (-108) | Under 6.5 (-112) |
| Where | Capital One Arena, Washington, DC | |
| When | Thursday, February 5, 2026 | |
| Time | 07:00 PM EST | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
Nashville Predators Betting Preview
The Nashville Predators beat the Blues, lost to the Wild, and they play the Blackhawks next. The Predators have lost 6 of their last 9 games.
The Nashville Predators are averaging 2.93 goals per game and are scoring 22.3 percent of their power play opportunities. Steven Stamkos leads Nashville with 28 goals, Ryan O’Reilly has 36 assists and Filip Forsberg has 172 shots on goal. Defensively, the Nashville Predators are allowing 3.46 goals per game and are killing 80.5 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Juuse Saros has allowed 134 goals on 1,242 shots faced, and Justus Annunen has given up 45 goals on 392 shots.
Washington Capitals Betting Preview
The Washington Capitals beat the Islanders, lost to the Flyers, and they play the Flyers next. The Capitals have split their last 8 games.
The Washington Capitals are averaging 3.17 goals per game and are scoring 15.8 percent of their power play opportunities. Tom Wilson leads Washington with 22 goals, John Carlson has 35 assists, and Jakob Chychrun has 175 shots on goal. Defensively, the Washington Capitals are allowing 2.93 goals per game and are killing 78.5 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Logan Thompson has given up 92 goals on 1,041 shots faced, and Charlie Lindgren has allowed 60 goals on 516 shots.
Why the Washington Capitals will win
- The Predators have lost 14 of their last 15 road games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The home team has won each of the Capitals’ last three games.
- The Predators have failed to cover the puck line in four of their last five games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The home team has covered the puck line in each of the Capitals’ last three games.
- The Predators have lost the second period in six of their last seven games as underdogs when leading after the first period.
Why the Nashville Predators will win
- The Capitals have lost four of their last five games as favorites against Central Division opponents.
- The Predators have won three of their last four games as an away underdog when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in seven of the last eight games between the Predators and Capitals.
- The Capitals have failed to cover the puck line in seven of their last eight games against Central Division opponents.
- The Predators have won the third period in each of their last four road games against Eastern Conference opponents when trailing after the second period.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the last eight night games between the Predators and Capitals have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Five of the Predators’ last six night games against Metropolitan Division opponents have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in each of the last six games between the Predators and Capitals at Capital One Arena.
- The ‘Over 2.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in four of the Predators’ last five night games at Capital One Arena.
Washington Capitals Player Prop Facts
- Alex Ovechkin has scored at least one goal in five of the Capitals’ last six home games against Central Division opponents.
- Dylan Strome has recorded at least one assist in each of the Capitals’ last five games against the Predators.
- Jakob Chychrun ranks 1st in the Metropolitan Division for Plus/Minus (+22) this season.
Nashville Predators Player Prop Facts
- Filip Forsberg has scored at least one goal in four of the Predators’ last five road games.
- Ryan O’Reilly has recorded at least one assist in four of his last five appearances with his team as an underdog against the Capitals.
- Ryan O’Reilly ranks T8th in the league for Game Winning Goals (5) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Washington Capitals rank 7th in the league for Period 3 goals scored per game this season (1.22).
- The Washington Capitals rank T25th in the league for power play goals this season (27).
- The Nashville Predators have recorded the most wins when tied or trailing after Period 2 this season (16).
- The Nashville Predators have recorded the equal-most wins when tied after Period 2 this season (11).
Nashville Predators vs Washington Capitals Prediction
I’m not running to the window to back either of these teams due to their inconsistent ways. However, I’m going to lean toward the Capitals because of the home ice. The Caps also have the offensive firepower to take advantage of a Predators defense that doesn’t show up half the time. Usually when the Predators lose, it’s their defense that’s getting beat over the head. The price is a bit steep, but I’m going to side with the Capitals and the PL for max betting value.