Feb. 27, 2026, 9:22 a.m. ET
The Vegas Golden Knights (28-16-14) and Washington Capitals (30-23-7) tangle Friday at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. The opening puck drop will be at 7 p.m. ET (NHL Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Golden Knights vs. Capitals odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
2024-25 season series: Washington 2-0-0
The Pacific Division-leading Golden Knights come out of the Olympics break with a 5-game stretch on road ice. That stretch got underway Wednesday with a 6-4 (Over 5.5) triumph at the -182 LA Kings. Vegas totes a 3-game win streak into Friday’s tilt in D.C.
The Capitals also came out of the break with a victory. Washington defeated the +122 Philadelphia Flyers 3-1 (Under 5.5) Wednesday. The Caps are 5-1-0 across their last 6 games since Jan. 29.
Watch the NHL on Fubo!Golden Knights at Capitals odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7 a.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Golden Knights -105 (bet $105 to win $100) | Capitals -115 (bet $115 to win $100)Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Golden Knights +1.5 (-250) | Capitals -1.5 (+200)Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)Golden Knights at Capitals projected goalies
Adin Hill (5-3-3, 3.34 GAA, .864 SV%) vs. Logan Thompson (20-16-4, 2.41 GAA, .913 SV%)
Hill was between the pipes Wednesday and allowed 4 goals while facing just 19 shots. He has allowed 17 goals across his last 4 road games. In an injury-marred campaign (Hill was out with a lower-body injury from mid-October to mid-January), the 29-year-old has thus far filed the lowest save percentage of his 9-year NHL career.
Thompson stopped 23 of 24 pucks in Wednesday’s win over Philly. The 29-year-old owns a .916 SV% at home.
Golden Knights at Capitals picks and predictionsPrediction
Capitals 4, Golden Knights 3
Washington has won 3 of the last 4 series meetings. The Caps are 6-2 in their last 8 home games against Vegas.
The streaky Capitals have had their peaks and valleys this season. They may now be in a winter peak: albeit across a span that predates the Olympic break, Washington is 5-1-0 since Jan. 29. During that stretch, the Caps have allowed just 24.7 shots per game.
The Knights are 1-2-1 over their last 4 road tilts. Their East Coast and East Coast-adjacent road swings have been a mixed bag at best.
Thompson has performed well at home and has a solid history around this time of year.
BET THE CAPITALS (-115).
No interest; PASS.
The Over cashed in both meetings last season and is 5-1 in Vegas’ last 6 on the road.
Expected-goals analytics are bullish on the Washington offense and bearish on its defense. In other words, look for more 5-on-5 scoring all around in Caps games. Add a strong Knights power play and so-so Caps penalty kill to the mix. And now make this meeting the second game off the long layoff for both clubs.
The OVER 5.5 (-120) is the value end of this clash in D.C.
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