New Jersey Devils vs Washington Capitals Prediction 3/20/2026 Today’s NHL Picks

The New Jersey Devils and the Washington Capitals meet Friday in NHL action from the Capital One Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a New Jersey Devils vs. Washington Capitals prediction.

New Jersey Devils Recap

The New Jersey Devils come into this game looking to add on to their 6-3 win over the Rangers in their last game to sit at 35-31-2 this season. After this game, the Devils will head on the road again for a game against the Dallas Stars.

Devils Win 3 In A Row

Nico Hischier has 52 points with a team-high 24 goals and 28 assists while Jesper Bratt has 54 points with 16 goals and 38 assists. Jack Hughes has 18 goals and 36 assists for his 54 points and Dawson Mercer has 15 goals and 18 assists for his 33 points. Timo Meier has 34 points with 19 goals and 15 assists while Luke Hughes has 32 points with 26 assists and Arseny Gritsyuk has 30 points with 13 goals and 17 assists. Jake Allen has gone 13-15-1 with a 2.69 GAA and a .906 save percentage while Jacob Markstrom has gone 21-16-1 with a 3.10 GAA and an .884 save percentage this season.

Washington Capitals Recap

The Washington Capitals come into this game looking to build on their 4-1 win over Ottawa last time out to sit at 34-27-8 this season. After this game, Washington will take on the Colorado Avalanche at home.

Capitals Alternate Wins & Losses In 6 Straight

Alex Ovechkin leads the Capitals in scoring with 52 points including a team-high 25 points and 27 assists while Tom Wilson has 51 points with 25 goals and 26 assists this season. Jakob Chychrun has 50 points with 22 goals and 28 assists and Dylan Strome’s added 50 points with 16 goals and 34 assists as well this year. John Carlson’s chipped in 46 points with a team-high 36 assists and Aliaksei Protas has 45 points with 22 goals and 23 assists on the year. In goal for Washington, Logan Thompson has gone 23-19-5 with a 2.39 GAA and a .914 save percentage while Charlie Lindgren is 9-7-3 with a 3.29 GAA and an .886 save percentage so far this season. Clay Stevenson also has gone 2-1 with a 2.33 GAA and a .904 save percentage this season.

New Jersey Devils @ Washington Capitals Betting Trends: March 20, 2026

Why the Washington Capitals will win

• The Capitals have won each of their last eight Friday games against the Devils.
• The Devils have lost seven of their last eight night games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• The Capitals have covered the puck line in seven of their last eight home games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• The Devils have failed to cover the puck line in seven of their last eight games as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The Capitals have won the second period in each of their last six games as home favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.

Why the New Jersey Devils will win

• The underdogs have won each of the Capitals’ last four games.
• The Capitals have lost nine of their last 11 games as home favorites against opponents on a winning streak.
• The Capitals have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last 13 games as home favorites against opponents on a winning streak.
• The underdogs have covered the puck line in each of the last five games between the Devils and Capitals.
• The Devils have won the third period in six of their last seven games against the Capitals when trailing after the second period.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Capitals’ last eight games as favorites following a win have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Each of the Devils’ last four games have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Each of the last three games between two teams from the Metropolitan Division have gone OVER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Capitals’ last 10 games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Devils’ last six road games against the Capitals.

Washington Capitals Player Prop Facts

• Connor McMichael has scored at least one goal in five of his last six home appearances against the Devils.
• Alex Ovechkin has recorded at least one assist in eight of his last nine appearances against the Devils.
• Aliaksei Protas has recorded two assists against the Devils this season – equal-most against any opponent.

New Jersey Devils Player Prop Facts

• Jack Hughes has scored a goal in three of the Devils’ last four games.
• Jack Hughes has recorded at least one assist in nine of his last 10 appearances in road games.
• Brenden Dillon has recorded two assists against the Capitals this season – most against any opponent.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Washington Capitals rank 27th in the league in power play percentage this season (16.59%).
• The Washington Capitals rank 7th in the league for goals against per game this season (2.87).
• The New Jersey Devils rank 27th in the league for goals per game this season (2.68).
• The New Jersey Devils have suffered the largest margin of defeat in the NHL this season (9-goals @ Islanders on January, 6).

New Jersey Devils vs. Washington Capitals Prediction

I’m on New Jersey in this one. The Devils are starting to heat up right now, and Washington is just playing some inconsistent hockey right now. The road team has also won all three meetings between these two teams this season and I think the better price is on New Jersey here so give me the plus money with the Devils here.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: New Jersey +115