Washington Capitals vs Detroit Red Wings Prediction 12/21/2025 Today’s NHL Picks

In this article, we will formulate a Capitals vs Red Wings Prediction for this NHL game on Sunday, December 21st. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

Detroit Red Wings Preview

The Red Wings have 43 points this season with a 20-13-3 record, and are 18-18 ATS and 18-14 in over/under. They have a 10-7-1 home record and a 10-6-2 road record and are sitting 1st in the Atlantic Division. They are coming off a 5-2 road win over the Capitals, and their previous three games were a 1-4 home loss against the Mammoth, a 3-2 home win against the Islanders, and a 4-0 road win against the Blackhawks.

Offensively, the Red Wings are averaging 3.08 goals per game and are scoring 23.2% of their power play opportunities. Defensively, they are allowing 3.19 goals per game and are killing 81.3% of their opponent’s power plays.

Alex DeBrincat leads the Red Wings with 39 points and 20 goals, while Lucas Raymond leads the team in assists with 27. John Gibson is the starting goalie for the Red Wings, and he has a 11-7-1 record, with 3.01 GAA and .892 SV%. Cam Talbot is the backup goalie and he has a 9-6-2 record, with 3.07 GAA and .883 SV%.

Washington Capitals Preview

The Capitals have 42 points this season with a 19-12-4 record, and are 19-16 ATS and 15-17 in over/under. They have a 11-6-2 home record and a 8-6-2 road record and are sitting 2nd in the Metropolitan Division. They are coming off a 2-5 road loss to the Red Wings, and their previous three games were a 4-0 home win against the Maple Leafs, a 0-5 road loss against the Wild, and a 1-5 road loss against the Jets.

Offensively, the Capitals are averaging 3.20 goals per game and are scoring 14.9% of their power play opportunities. Defensively, they are allowing 2.54 goals per game and are killing 77.3% of their opponent’s power plays.

Tom Wilson leads the Capitals with 34 points and 17 goals, also leading the team in assists with 17. Logan Thompson is the starting goalie for the Capitals, and he has a 14-8-3 record, with 2.09 GAA and .924 SV%. Charlie Lindgren is the backup goalie and he has a 5-4-1 record, with 3.10 GAA and .887 SV%.

Washington Capitals @ Detroit Red Wings Betting Trends: December 21, 2025

Why the Detroit Red Wings will win

• The Capitals have lost five of their last six day games.
• The Red Wings have won each of their last four home games following a road win.
• The home team has covered the puck line in six of the Capitals’ last seven games.
• The Capitals have failed to cover the puck line in five of their last six day games.
• The Capitals have lost the third period in eight of their last nine road games against Eastern Conference opponents when trailing after the second period.

Why the Washington Capitals will win

• The Red Wings have lost six of their last seven games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
• The Capitals have won five of their last six road games against the Red Wings following a loss.
• The Red Wings have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last seven home games.
• The road team has covered the puck line in each of the Red Wings’ last four games.
• The Capitals have won the third period in each of their last four road games against Eastern Conference opponents when leading after the second period.

Total Goals Facts

• Eight of the Capitals’ last nine games following a loss have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Each of the Red Wings’ last four games on the second leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Red Wings’ last nine day games.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Capitals’ last four road games against Atlantic Division opponents.

Detroit Red Wings Player Prop Facts

• Alex DeBrincat has scored at least one goal in five of his last six home appearances against the Capitals.
• Moritz Seider has recorded at least one assist in each of the Red Wings’ last five games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• Alex DeBrincat ranks T2nd in the league for Power Play Goals (9) this season.

Washington Capitals Player Prop Facts

• Alex Ovechkin has scored at least one goal in four of the Capitals’ last five road games against the Red Wings.
• Tom Wilson has recorded at least one assist in each of the Capitals’ last eight Sunday day games.
• Dylan Strome has recorded a faceoff win percentage of 84.6% against the Red Wings this season – most against any opponent.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Detroit Red Wings rank 32nd in the league in short handed goals this season (0).
• The Detroit Red Wings have recorded the largest comeback win this season – trailed by four goals vs Blues on October, 25.
• The Washington Capitals rank 4th in the league for goals against per game this season (2.54).
• The Washington Capitals rank 29th in the league in power play percentage this season (14.85%).

Capitals vs Red Wings Prediction

In their previous meeting earlier this season, the Red Wings won 5-2 on the road, but the Ducks are 4-1 in their 5 meetings before that. Over is 3-1 in their last 4 meetings.

In this Capitals vs Red Wings Prediction, both teams are coming at a pickem price. Both teams are on the second leg of a back-to-back, as they faced each other yesterday in Washington. The Red Wings won and have been in better form lately, as they are 6-2 in their last 8 games, while the Capitals have been struggling, with a 1-4 record in their last 5 games, with their offense being almost non-existent, having scored just 8 goals in that span. The Red Wings are also 3-1 in their last 4 home meetings against the Capitals and I expect them to win again today. Take the Red Wings on the moneyline in this one.

Nikos Lagouretos's Pick: Detroit Red Wings ML