Red Wings vs Capitals Prediction 12/20/2025 Today’s NHL Picks

In this article we will formulate a Red Wings vs Capitals prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, December 20th at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

Detroit Red Wings Betting Preview

The Detroit Red Wings are 19-13-3 this season after they lost to Utah by a score of 4-1 in their last game. Detroit cut the deficit to 2-1 in the third period, but they allowed two late goals to seal the loss. The Red Wings recorded 28 shots on goal, won 53.2% of the face-offs, and went 1-4 on the power play in the game. Detroit got their lone goal from Finnie, while Talbot stopped 24 out of 28 shots, which was an .857 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Detroit defeated the Islanders by a score of 3-2 and the Blackhawks by a score of 4-0. The Red Wings have won five of their last seven games and they are currently first in the Atlantic standings with 41 points. Detroit has scored 3.03 goals per game and they have allowed 3.23 goals against per game, while also going 23.9% on the power play and 80.9% on the penalty kill this season. Alex DeBrincat has led Detroit with 20 goals and 19 assists, while Lucas Raymond has added 10 goals and 27 assists. The projected starting goalie for Detroit is John Gibson, who is 10-7-1 with a 3.07 goals against average and an .890 save percentage this season. 

Washington Capitals Betting Preview

The Washington Capitals are 19-11-4 this year after they defeated Toronto by a score of 4-0 in their last game. Washington scored two goals in the first period and two in the third in the shutout win. The Capitals out shot Toronto by a total of 29-22, won 45.8% of the face-offs, and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. Washington got goals from Protas, Carlson, and Chychrun (2), while Thompson stopped all 22 shots in the shutout victory. 

Prior to that game, Washington lost to the Wild by a score of 5-0 and the Jets by a score of 5-1. The Capitals have lost three of their last four games and they are currently second in the Metro standings with 42 points. Washington has scored 3.24 goals per game and they have allowed 2.47 goals against per game, while also going 15.2% on the power play and 76.6% on the penalty kill this season. Tom Wilson has led Washington with 17 goals and 16 assists, while Alex Ovechkin has added 14 goals and 17 assists. The projected starting goalie for Washington is Logan Thompson, who is 14-7-3 with a 2.00 goals against average and a .925 save percentage this year. 

Why the Detroit Red Wings will win

• The Capitals have lost each of their last six Saturday games.
• The Red Wings have won four of their last five road games.
• The Red Wings have covered the puck line in four of their last five games as road underdogs.
• The Capitals have failed to cover the puck line in four of their last five day games against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The Capitals have lost the first period in four of their last five home games against Atlantic Division opponents.

Total Goals Facts

• Fifteen of the Capitals’ last 18 home games against Eastern Conference opponents have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Five of the Red Wings’ last six games have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Capitals’ last eight games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Red Wings’ last six games as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.

Washington Capitals Player Prop Facts

• Alex Ovechkin has scored at least one goal in seven of his last eight appearances in day games.
• Tom Wilson has recorded an assist in each of the Capitals’ last six games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.

Detroit Red Wings Player Prop Facts

• Lucas Raymond has recorded an assist in each of the Red Wings’ last four games as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
• Alex DeBrincat has scored at least one goal in five of the Red Wings’ last six games against Metropolitan Division opponents.

Red Wings vs Capitals Prediction 

Detroit comes into this contest playing pretty well over their last seven games, but they are coming off of a bad effort against Utah in their last game. The Red Wings are 9-6-2 on the road this year, while the Capitals are 11-5-2 at home. Washington has lost three of their last four games and they have scored two goals or fewer in four of their last five. The Capitals are an elite defensive team, but their special teams are not very strong. This should be a great game between solid teams, but I think Detroit is in better form and Gibson is playing at a very high level in net. Take the Red Wings on the road.

David Racey's Pick: Red Wings ML