Welcome back to another edition of NHL Predictions with Last Word on Hockey.  Our team will break down the key matches, storylines, and stats, and make predictions for the contest. In this edition, we will look at the Washington Capitals visiting the New Jersey Devils. Be sure to check out all of our NHL Predictions throughout the 2025-26 season.

Head-to-Head: 2-1 Washington

Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time

How to Watch: ESPN+, Hulu

The Capitals and Devils will meet on Thursday for the fourth and final time this season. The Metropolitan rivals are both on the outside of the playoff picture after both qualifying just a year ago. Washington (38-28-9, 85 points) sit just three points behind Columbus entering the day, but they also have three teams to jump before vaulting above the playoff line. New Jersey (38-34-2, 78 points) sit 10 points back in the wild card. Their postseason hopes are all but slashed entering the season’s final month.

The Capitals have taken the last two meetings; most recently on March 20 thanks to a Logan Thompson 30-save performance in a 2-1 win. Jacob Chychurn scored the overtime winner in the last meeting at Prudential Center just days after Christmas. The Devils took the first meeting in a shootout in early November.

Capitals Looking to Stay in the Hunt

Washington will look to win their fourth straight game and possibly pull to within one point of the final playoff spot. The Capitals could make some noise should they secure a birth given the uncertainty in the Eastern Conference right now. The looming question over the team’s future without Alex Ovechkin will one day become a reality. The NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer just recorded his 20th 30-goal season in what could possibly be his final season. Ovechkin leads the way with 59 points, but Dylan Strome and Tom Wilson are offensive weapons the Capitals can deploy when teams shift their focus to Ovi. Ryan Leonard has blossomed in his rookie season as well, posting 16 goals and 39 points playing a good number of minutes in a middle-six role.

Where the Caps shine is on the backend. Their 2.89 GAA as a unit ranks 7th in the NHL. Martin Fehervary and Matt Roy have taken a step forward this season and have solidified a decent defensive core for the future. Jakob Chychrun has increased offensive value this season, with career highs in goals (24), assists (32) and points (56), all while being a team best plus-20.

Thompson has repeated his gaudy numbers with an increased workload as well. His .912 sv% ties him for second among qualified goalies this season. Thompson is expected to get the start in net.

Credit Image: © Eric Canha/Cal Sport Media)

Devils Playing out the Year

New Jersey wants to bounce back after suffering a 4-1 defeat to the New York Rangers on Tuesday. The Devils are 11-4-0 since the Olympic break, but they have been unable to gain any ground in the postseason picture. The Devils aren’t eliminated yet, but they are certainly treading water and would need to win out.

Jack Hughes once again paces the Devils with 63 points despite missing time this year with multiple injuries. Jesper Bratt and Nico Hischier are the only other players to eclipse 40-plus points on the season. It has been a year to forget for the Devils in the scoring department. They rank 27th in the league at 2.72 goals per game. They have had difficulty finishing chances and currently tab a second-worst 9.1 shooting percentage.

The Devils blue-line has been respectable, ranking 18th in the league allowing just over three goals per game. Dougie Hamilton and Luke Hughes are still threats on the offensive side as well. Simon Nemec is also finding a scoring touch as well.

Jacob Markstrom dropped the gloves with Rangers netminder Igor Shesterkin on Tuesday. He has also received a heavier workload since the break in hopes he would find his game after struggling for most of the first half. However, Jake Allen is expected to start on Thursday. The veteran has fared well this season, posting a .906sv%.

NHL Predictions:

The Capitals are playing for a lot more than the Devils right now. This is a game they should be able to win should they expect to be taken seriously as a playoff caliber unit. Given Washington’s defense and the Devils lack of scoring, this game is shaping up to be a goaltender’s dream.

Prediction: Capitals win 3-1

Best Bets

The over/under in this contest is 6.5. We like the under in this one.

Timo Meier has scored five goals in his last 10 games. Alex Ovechkin has 92 points against the Devils, fifth most against any team. Take a chance on a Meier anytime goal or Ovechkin to score a power-play goal.

Main photo by: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

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