Washington Capitals vs Chicago Blackhawks Prediction 1/9/2026 Today’s NHL Picks

In this article, we will formulate a Capitals vs Blackhawks Prediction for this NHL game on Friday, January 9th. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

Chicago Blackhawks Preview

The Blackhawks have 43 points this season with a 18-18-7 record, and are 30-13 ATS and 19-24 in over/under. They have a 10-8-4 home record and a 8-10-3 road record and are sitting 5th in the Central Division. They are coming off a 7-3 home win over the Blues, and their previous three games were a 3-2 home overtime win over the Golden Knights, a 3-2 road shootout win over the Capitals, and a 4-3 home win over the Stars.

Offensively, the Blackhawks are averaging 2.86 goals per game and are scoring 23.0% of their power play opportunities. Defensively, they are allowing 3.12 goals per game and are killing 84.4% of their opponent’s power plays.

Connor Bedard leads the Blackhawks with 44 points, while Tyler Bertuzzi leads the team in goals with 22, and Connor Bedard also leads the team in assists with 25. Spencer Knight is the starting goalie for the Blackhawks, and he has a 13-11-6 record, with 2.62 GAA and .910 SV%. Arvid Soderblom is the backup goalie and he has a 5-7-1 record, with 3.87 GAA and .873 SV%.

Washington Capitals Preview

The Capitals have 50 points this season with a 22-16-6 record, and are 24-20 ATS and 21-22 in over/under. They have a 13-8-3 home record and a 9-8-3 road record and are sitting 5th in the Metropolitan Division. They are coming off a 4-1 home loss to the Stars, and their previous three games were a 7-4 home win over the Ducks, a 3-2 home shootout loss to the Blackhawks, and a 4-3 road loss to the Senators.

Offensively, the Capitals are averaging 3.25 goals per game and are scoring 15.3% of their power play opportunities. Defensively, they are allowing 2.82 goals per game and are killing 77.2% of their opponent’s power plays.

Tom Wilson leads the Capitals with 42 points, also leading the team in goals with 22, while Dylan Strome leads the team in assists with 23. Logan Thompson is the starting goalie for the Capitals, and he has a 15-12-4 record, with 2.40 GAA and .915 SV%. Charlie Lindgren is the backup goalie and he has a 7-4-2 record, with 3.13 GAA and .890 SV%.

Washington Capitals @ Chicago Blackhawks Betting Trends: January 9, 2026

Why the Chicago Blackhawks will win

• The Blackhawks have won each of their last four games as underdogs.
• The Capitals have lost each of their last three games as favorites against Central Division opponents.
• The Capitals have failed to cover the puck line in seven of their last eight games as favorites against opponents on a winning streak.
• The Blackhawks have covered the puck line in each of their last five games.
• The Blackhawks have won the second period in seven of their last eight games against Metropolitan Division opponents when tied after the first period.

Why the Washington Capitals will win

• The Capitals have won each of their last nine games as road favorites against opponents on a winning streak.
• The Blackhawks have lost four of their last five home games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• The Capitals have covered the puck line in 13 of their last 15 road games following a home loss.
• The favorites have won the third period in six of the Capitals’ last seven games.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Blackhawks’ last six games as home underdogs following a home win have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Each of the Capitals’ last six games as road favorites following a home loss have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Seven of the last eight Friday night games between teams from different conferences have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Blackhawks’ last seven games.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Capitals’ last four games as favorites against the Blackhawks.

Chicago Blackhawks Player Prop Facts

• Teuvo Teravainen has recorded at least one assist in each of his four previous appearances with his team as a home underdog against the Capitals.
• Shea Weber has scored a goal in three of his last four appearances against the Capitals.
• Landon Slaggert has recorded at least four shots in each of his last zero appearances – [longest/equal-longest] active streak in the league.

Washington Capitals Player Prop Facts

• Aliaksei Protas has scored a goal in each of his last four appearances with the Capitals as favorites.
• Dylan Strome has recorded at least one assist in each of his last seven Friday appearances.
• Anthony Beauvillier has recorded at least four shots in each of his last zero appearances – [longest/equal-longest] active streak in the league.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Chicago Blackhawks rank 4th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (84.40%).
• The Chicago Blackhawks rank T8th in the league in power play percentage this season (22.95%).
• The Washington Capitals rank 30th in the league in power play percentage this season (15.32%).
• The Washington Capitals are one of four teams to rank in the top 10 for both goals scored and goals conceded per game this season.

Capitals vs Blackhawks Prediction

In their previous meeting earlier this month, the Blackhawks won 3-2 on the road in a shootout, but the Capitals are 5-1 in their six meetings before that. Under is 3-1 in their last 4 meetings.

In this Capitals vs Blackhawks Prediction, the Capitals are coming as -142 road favorites. The Capitals have been the better team this season with more points and overall wins but they have been weaker on the road and are 1-3 in their last 4 games. On the flip side, the Blackhawks have four consecutive wins and are averaging 4.2 goals per game in that span, so I like them as home dogs in this spot. Take the Blackhawks on the moneyline for plus money at home in this one.

Nikos Lagouretos's Pick: Chicago Blackhawks ML