By: Kim Smith Published 01/23/2026, 06:00 AM ET 
The Washington Capitals travel north to face the Calgary Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Friday, January 23, 2026, with puck drop scheduled for 9:00 PM ET. This matchup will be televised on ESPN+ and Monumental Sports Network. Washington enters this contest as the road favorite at -142 on the moneyline, while Calgary comes back at +120. The total is set at 5.5 goals with the Over priced at -135 and the Under at +114, and the puck line lists Washington -1.5 (+180) against Calgary +1.5 (-218). Make sure to check out our free NHL picks for more daily NHL betting insights.
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Terms & Conditions Capitals Looking to Halt the Slide on the Road
Washington comes into this matchup with a 24-21-6 overall record and has gone 10-11-3 away from home this season. Over their last five games, the Capitals have recently lost to the Canucks, Avalanche, Panthers, Sharks, and Canadiens, with the lone win in that stretch coming in overtime against Montreal. That run highlights a team that has struggled to close games despite staying competitive in most outings.
From a statistical standpoint, the Capitals are averaging 3.18 goals per game while allowing 2.88 goals against. They generate 29.2 shots per game and allow 28.4 shots against, suggesting a fairly balanced profile at both ends of the ice. Special teams have been a mixed bag, with 25 power-play goals on a 17.0% conversion rate and a penalty kill sitting at 78.0%.
One area Washington does reasonably well is limiting damage when short-handed, allowing no short-handed goals against this season. However, discipline has been an issue at times, as shown by 472 penalty minutes, which can put pressure on a penalty kill that has not been elite.
Flames Defending Home Ice with Inconsistency
Calgary enters Friday’s contest with a 21-24-5 overall record and has been far more reliable at home, posting a 13-8-3 mark at the Saddledome. In their last five games, the Flames have recently lost to the Penguins, Devils, and Blue Jackets, while picking up wins over the Islanders and Blackhawks. That stretch reflects a team that can defend well at times but struggles to find consistent scoring.
Offensively, Calgary is averaging just 2.52 goals per game, one of the lower outputs among competitive teams, while allowing 2.94 goals against. They average 28.7 shots per game and give up 29.0 shots against, numbers that indicate limited margin for error when facing stronger offensive teams.
Special teams have been a relative strength for the Flames. Their penalty kill operates at an impressive 83.1%, and they have scored seven short-handed goals this season. However, their power play has lagged behind, converting at just 14.8% with 23 goals, which often leaves them chasing games rather than controlling them.
Washington Capitals vs Calgary Flames PickWashington Capitals vs Calgary Flames Pick Pick: Washington Capitals moneyline (-142)
Washington has the stronger offensive profile in this matchup, averaging more than half a goal per game more than Calgary, and that edge matters against a Flames team that struggles to generate consistent scoring. While the Capitals are not in peak form, they still create more chances and should be able to take advantage of Calgary’s limited offensive depth. With the Flames relying heavily on defense and special teams, Washington’s ability to score at even strength gives them the edge to secure the road win.
Washington Capitals vs Calgary Flames Total Pick
I am backing the Under in this matchup because Calgary games frequently turn into low-event contests, especially at home, where they lean on structure and goaltending. Washington has also had trouble converting chances during their recent skid, and Calgary’s strong penalty kill can neutralize power-play opportunities. With both teams allowing under three goals per game on average and the Flames struggling offensively, I see this one staying below the 5.5 total.
Final Score Prediction: Washington Capitals 3, Calgary Flames 2
This prediction was written before the completion of game play on Thursday.
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