The Carolina Hurricanes (33-15-5) take on the Washington Capitals (26-22-7) in a Metropolitan Division showdown. The Hurricanes, leading the division, are riding a hot streak with elite scoring depth and goaltending, while the Capitals, fourth in the division, aim to leverage home ice amid a inconsistent run plagued by injuries. This marks their third meeting of the 2025-26 season, with each team winning one prior (Hurricanes 3-2 SO on Dec. 11; Capitals 4-1 on Nov. 11). Expect a physical, defensive battle, but Carolina’s momentum could tilt the scales.
Venue: Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
Puck drop is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. ET (2:00 p.m. PT)
TV/Streaming: ESPN+, FDSNSO, MNMT
Recent Team Forms
The Hurricanes are surging with depth scoring; the Capitals have cooled off on their road trip.
Hurricanes (7-1-2 in last 10): Carolina averages 3.9 goals scored and 2.7 allowed, riding a four-game point streak. They’ve won five of six at home but are 4-3-1 in recent road games. Highlights include a 5-4 comeback vs. Utah (Jan. 29) with three goals in the final two minutes and a 4-1 over Ottawa (Jan. 24).
Last 5 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result |
| Jan 29 | vs UTA | W 5-4 |
| Jan 24 | @ OTT | W 4-1 |
| Jan 22 | vs CHI | L 3-4 (SO) |
| Jan 19 | vs BUF | W 2-1 |
| Jan 17 | vs NJD | W 6-3 |
Capitals (3-6-1 in last 10): Washington averages 2.8 goals scored and 3.9 allowed, dropping three straight before a 4-3 SO win over Detroit (Jan. 29). They’ve gone 1-3-1 on a six-game road trip, with losses like 5-1 to Seattle (Jan. 27) exposing defensive issues.
Last 5 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result |
| Jan 29 | @ DET | W 4-3 (SO) |
| Jan 27 | @ SEA | L 1-5 |
| Jan 24 | @ EDM | L 5-6 (OT) |
| Jan 23 | @ CGY | W 3-1 |
| Jan 21 | @ VAN | L 3-4 |
Injury Report
Hurricanes:
Eric Robinson (LW, upper body): Out until at least Feb. 26
Pyotr Kochetkov (G, undisclosed/lower body): Out for season
Charles-Alexis Legault (D, hand): Out indefinitely
William Carrier (LW, undisclosed): Out
Capitals:
Pierre-Luc Dubois (LW, abdomen): Out indefinitely
Matt Roy (D, lower body): Day-to-day
Logan Thompson (G, upper body): Day-to-day
Charlie Lindgren (G, lower body): Day-to-day
Projected starters: Frederik Andersen (CAR, .912 SV%) vs. Logan Thompson (WSH, .912 SV%) if healthy; otherwise, a backup like Clay Stevenson.
Key Player Matchups
Sebastian Aho (Hurricanes C) vs. Dylan Strome (Capitals C): Aho leads Carolina with 25 goals and 60 points; his playmaking tests Strome (18G, 40P), Washington’s top center in faceoffs (52%).
Andrei Svechnikov (Hurricanes LW) vs. John Carlson (Capitals D): Svechnikov (20G, 35A, recent multi-goal game) brings power; Carlson (8G, 30A) must shut him down while anchoring the PP.
Alex Ovechkin (Capitals LW) vs. Shayne Gostisbehere (Hurricanes D): Ovechkin (25G, chasing records) is Washington’s sniper; Gostisbehere (recent 2G game) handles top-pair duties.
Goaltending Duel: Frederik Andersen (Hurricanes) vs. Logan Thompson (Capitals): Andersen (2.45 GAA) is steady; Thompson (2.63 GAA) exploits Carolina’s occasional lapses but may be sidelined.
Projected Lineups
Hurricanes: Svechnikov-Aho-Jarvis; Hall-Stankoven-Blake; Ehlers-Staal-Martinook; Carrier-Jankowski-Kotkaniemi. Defense: Gostisbehere-Slavin; Orlov-Chatfield; Nikishin-Burns. Goalie: Andersen.
Capitals: McMichael-Strome-Leonard; Protas-Sourdif-Wilson; Ovechkin-Dowd-Frank; Duhaime-Lapierre-Beauvillier. Defense: Fehervary-Carlson; Chychrun-van Riemsdyk; Sandin-McIlrath. Goalie: Thompson (or Lindgren).
Series History
Washington holds the all-time edge: 112-76-14-5 overall. In regular season, it’s 108-62-25 for Capitals. Recently, Carolina has flipped the script, going 4-1 in the last five meetings, including a 3-2 SO win on Dec. 11. At Capital One Arena, Hurricanes are 3-2 in the last five visits.
Betting Trends
Over/Under: Over has hit in 27 of Carolina’s 53 games; Under in 4 of Washington’s last 5 home games. Hurricanes 7-3 ATS in last 10; Capitals 2-8 SU in last 10. Carolina 23-8 as favorites under -170; Washington 3-7 ATS vs. Metro teams
Game Odds
Carolina Hurricanes – 166
Washington Capitals 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, January 30, 2026
