By: Mike Fink Published 01/17/2026, 06:25 AM ET 
The Florida Panthers face the Washington Capitals with both teams looking to improve in the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference. The Panthers are 24-18-3 and sit five points out of the wild card while the Capitals have a 24-18-6 record but only four wins in their last 10 games have them on the outside of the playoff picture looking in. Who will win this matchup? Check out our Panthers vs Capitals prediction!
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Terms & Conditions Florida hopes offense turns season around
The Panthers are putting together a promising season thanks to their offense averaging 3.04 goals per game. Sam Reinhart and Sam Bennett have scored 40 goals and 40 assists while Carter Verhaeghe and Anton Lundell have combined for 27 goals and 40 assists to add depth to the forward group.
The offense has been great but the defense has struggled, allowing 3.20 goals per game. Niko Mikkola and Gustav Forsling have combined for 4.8 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net at will. The bright spot has been the play of goaltender Daniil Tarasov, who has stepped up in his latest starts, allowing only four goals in the last two.
Key injury report for Panthers Brad Marchand is out. Has 23 goals and 23 assists. Seth Jones (upper body) was placed on injured reserve. Is a key part of the defense. Matthew Tkachuk (groin) will travel with the team on their road trip. Is a key part of the forward unit. Capitals have been led by their defense lately
The Capitals are putting together a great season with their offense stepping up and scoring 3.23 goals per game. Alexander Ovechkin and Dylan Strome have scored 31 goals and 46 assists while defensemen John Carlson and Jakob Chychrun have added 24 goals and 45 assists from the point to open up the offense.
The offense has stepped up but the defense has carried them lately, allowing only 2.77 goals per game with only nine goals in the last four games. Jakob Chychrun and Matt Roy have combined for 6.7 defensive point shares while Martin Fehervary and John Carlson have combined for 5.4 defensive point shares to add depth to the unit. In addition, goaltender Logan Thompson has been great in recent starts, allowing only six goals in the last three games.
Key injury report for Capitals Tom Wilson (lower body) is a game-time decision. Has 22 goals and 20 assists. Adam Fox is on injured reserve. Is a key part of the defense. Panthers vs Capitals PickMoney Line Pick For Panthers vs Capitals Capitals (-135) (4 units)
The Panthers are playing the second of a back-to-back and the Capitals look to step up and take over this game on their home ice. The Capitals, who average 3.23 goals per game, should create plenty of scoring chances against the Panthers, who allow 3.20 goals per game, with Dylan Strome, Alexander Ovechkin, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone while creating open shots with quick passes. The Capitals, who allow only 2.77 goals per game, should limit the Panthers offense with John Carlson, Matt Roy, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone while limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Logan Thompson to make plenty of big saves. The Capitals should win the game with a strong performance on their home ice.
Take the Capitals money line as home Favorites.
Over/Under Pick For Panthers vs Capitals
The Capitals are led by their defense, and I see this game being a low-scoring one from the opening puck drop. The Panthers should limit the Capitals offense with Gustav Forsling, Niko Mikkola, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone while limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Daniil Tarasov, who has allowed only four goals in his last two games, to make plenty of big saves. The Capitals, who have allowed only nine goals in the last four games, should eliminate and potentially shut out the Panthers with John Carlson, Matt Roy, Jakob Chychrun, and the rest of the defensive unit forcing turnovers in all three zones while Logan Thompson, who has allowed only six goals in the last three games, blanks the shots on the net. The Under should cover in a low-scoring game with both defenses stepping up.
Take the Over on 5.5 goals.
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