Jan. 9, 2026, 11:11 a.m. ET

The Washington Capitals (22-16-6) visit the Chicago Blackhawks (18-18-7) for a Friday battle at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The second Caps-‘Hawks contest in the last 7 days is slated for 8 p.m. ET (NHL Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Capitals vs. Blackhawks odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.

Season series: Chicago leads 1-0

Washington hits the road after going 1-1-1 in a 3-game home stand from Jan. 3-7. In their last game (Wednesday), the Capitals lost to the -200 Dallas Stars (Under 6.5). The Caps were playing quite well through early December but are just 4-7-3 since Dec. 11. Over that stretch, they have coughed up 3.86 goals per game.

The Blackhawks won a 3-2 shootout game in D.C. Jan. 3, and that victory is part of a 4-game Chicago win streak. Win No. 4 of the streak came Wednesday when the -102 Blackhawks belted out a 7-3 triumph over the St. Louis Blues. The Chicago power play went 3 for 4 in that game and is 7 for its last 14.

Watch the NHL on Fubo!Capitals at Blackhawks odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:11 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Capitals -130 (bet $130 to win $100) | Blackhawks +105 (bet $100 to win $105)Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Capitals -1.5 (+185) | Blackhawks +1.5 (-225)Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -110 | U: -110)Capitals at Blackhawks projected goalies

Logan Thompson (15-12-4, 2.40 GAA, .915 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Spencer Knight (13-11-6, 2.62 GAA, .910 SV%, 2 SO)

Thompson was between the pipes Wednesday and allowed 3 goals while facing 35 shots. He stopped 31 of 32 against the Blackhawks 2 starts back but across 3 previous games — all on the road — filed an .888 SV%.

Knight was Chicago’s netminder in the Wednesday rout over St. Louis. He stopped 27 of 30 in that game after stopping 32 of 34 against Washington 2 starts back.

Capitals at Blackhawks picks and predictionsPrediction

Capitals 4, Blackhawks 3

Washington is 13-9-3 (.580 point percentage) when playing on 1 day of rest (.568 percentage in all games). The Capitals dropped last week’s meeting at home, but they had previously won 5 of 6 against the ‘Hawks since 2022. All 5 of those wins were by multi-goal margins.Thompson has registered a .932 SV% in 7 career games against Chicago. Look for the Caps, who twice in the Jan. 3 meeting battled back from 1-goal deficits, to be a slight value here.TAKE WASHINGTON (-130).

No interest; AVOID.

The Over is 6-2 in Washington’s last 8 games and 3-0 in the team’s last 3 road games. The Over is 6-3-1 in the last 10 meetings between these teams.

The Caps have the stronger 5-on-5 game. Chicago adds some momentum on the power play (and Washington has been more frequently penalized of late). Both prospective netminders have had recent slumps (Thompson .856 SV% from Dec. 23-Jan. 1, Knight .880 SV% from Dec. 12-Jan. 1).

The OVER 6 (-110) is the value side.

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