Panthers vs Capitals Prediction 1/17/2026 Today’s NHL Picks

In this article we will formulate a Panthers vs Capitals prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, January 17th at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

Florida Panthers Betting Preview

The Florida Panthers are 24-19-3 this year after they lost to Carolina by a score of 9-1 in their last game. Florida tied the game at one in the second period, but they allowed the last eight goals for the lopsided loss. The Panthers were out shot by a total of 35-16, won 34.5% of the face-offs, and went 0-5 on the power play in the game. Florida got their lone goal from Balinskis, while Bobrovsky stopped 26 out of 35 shots, which was a .743 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Florida defeated the Sabres by a score of 4-3 and the Senators by a score of 3-2. The Panthers have lost three of their last five games and they are currently seventh in the Atlantic standings with 51 points. Florida has scored 3.04 goals per game and they have allowed 3.20 goals against per game, while also going 18.7% on the power play and 83.8% on the penalty kill this season. Brad Marchand has led Florida with 23 goals and 23 assists, while Sam Reinhart has added 24 goals and 21 assists. The projected starting goalie for Florida is Daniil Tarasov, who is 5-6-2 with a 2.81 goals against average and a .904 save percentage this year. 

Washington Capitals Betting Preview

The Washington Capitals are 24-18-6 this season after they lost to San Jose by a score of 3-2 in their last game. Washington led 1-0 in the second period, but they allowed the next three goals and couldn’t recover in the loss. The Capitals were out shot by a total of 26-23, won 41.7% of the face-offs, and went 1-2 on the power play in the game. Washington got goals from Leonard and Strome, while Thompson stopped 23 out of 26 shots, which was an .885 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Washington defeated the Canadiens by a score of 3-2, but lost to the Predators by a score of 3-2 before that. The Capitals have alternated wins and losses over their last seven games and they are currently fourth in the Metro standings with 54 points. Washington has scored 3.23 goals per game and they have allowed 2.77 goals against per game, while also going 15.8% on the power play and 77.8% on the penalty kill this season. Tom Wilson has led Washington with 22 goals and 20 assists, while Alex Ovechkin has added 20 goals and 21 assists. The projected starting goalie for Washington is Logan Thompson, who is 17-13-4 with a 2.36 goals against average and a .915 save percentage this season. 

Why the Washington Capitals will win

• The Panthers have lost each of their last six games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
• The home team has won each of the last four games between the Panthers and Capitals.
• The Panthers have failed to cover the puck line in 10 of their last 11 games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
• The Capitals have covered the puck line in each of their last four games following a home loss.
• The Panthers have lost the first period in four of their last five games against Metropolitan Division opponents.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Capitals’ last eight games as favorites against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Each of the Panthers’ last five games against Metropolitan Division opponents have gone OVER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Capitals’ last nine home games against Atlantic Division opponents.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Panthers’ last eight road games against Eastern Conference opponents.

Washington Capitals Player Prop Facts

• Aliaksei Protas has scored a goal in five of the Capitals’ last six games as home favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
• Tom Wilson has recorded an assist in each of his last seven appearances with the Capitals as home favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.

Florida Panthers Player Prop Facts

• Sam Reinhart has scored at least one goal in seven of his last nine appearances after playing the previous day.
• Brad Marchand has recorded an assist in each of his last four road appearances against Metropolitan Division opponents.

Panthers vs Capitals Prediction 

Washington comes into this matchup after alternating wins and losses over their last seven games and they are due for a win here, if that trend continues. The Capitals are 14-9-3 at home this year, while the Panthers are 10-9-0 on the road. Florida lost last night to Carolina, so they will be on a back to back in this one. We have seen some very inconsistent play from Washington over the last two weeks and they have scored two regulation goals or fewer in four of their last five. I don’t love how Washington is playing right now, but they have done a solid job of limiting back to back losses, so I will take the Capitals at home.

David Racey's Pick: Capitals ML