Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET
TV: Monumental Sports Network (MNMT), Scripps Sports, NHL Network
Streaming: ESPN+, Fubo (regional), NHL.tv (out-of-market)
This inter-conference matchup pits the Pacific Division-leading Golden Knights against a surging Capitals team fighting for Metropolitan Division positioning and a playoff spot. Vegas is on the second leg of a five-game road trip after a big win out West; Washington is home after snapping any rust from the Olympic break with a solid victory.
Injury Report
Vegas Golden Knights
- Out: William Karlsson (lower body – week-to-week), Brett Howden (lower body – LTIR), Carter Hart (leg – LTIR)
- Day-to-Day: Noah Hanifin (undisclosed)
- Jonas Rondbjerg (undisclosed) also questionable in some reports.
Washington Capitals
- Day-to-Day: John Carlson (lower body), Tom Wilson (illness – expected to play after participating in Thursday’s optional skate)
Core roster otherwise healthy; no long-term absences.
Recent Form
Golden Knights (28-16-14, 70 points – 1st Pacific): 4-4-2 in their last 10. Most recent: W 6-4 @ Los Angeles (Feb 25) – Pavel Dorofeyev (2G), Jack Eichel and Mark Stone contributed heavily in a high-event road win. Vegas ranks top-10 in goals per game (~3.38) but has been leaky defensively on the road lately. Road record: 14-8-7.
Capitals (30-23-7, 67 points – ~4th Metropolitan, strong wild-card push): 6-3-1 or better in recent stretch (5-1-0 in last 6 entering the break). Most recent: W 3-1 vs. Philadelphia (Feb 25) – Trevor van Riemsdyk (GWG), Rasmus Sandin (first goal in 40 games), Alex Protas (G+A). Washington is 18-10-3 at home and has tightened up defensively (allowing ~2.9 GPG lately).
Head-to-Head / Series History
2025-26 season: Limited meetings so far; Washington has taken the last two encounters (including a 4-2 and 5-2 win in recent history at home). Vegas is 6-3 SU in its last 9 vs. Washington overall, but the Capitals have owned the recent home matchups. The Over has hit in 5 of the last 7 meetings when totals sit around 5.5-6.
Key Player Matchups
- Jack Eichel (VGK – 21G/47A/68P) & Mark Stone (21G/39A) vs. Washington’s top defensive pair (Carlson if plays / Sandin): Eichel leads Vegas in points; Stone’s two-way play will test Washington’s structure.
- Pavel Dorofeyev (VGK – hot streak, 2G in last game) vs. Capitals goaltending (Logan Thompson expected): Dorofeyev has been Vegas’ X-factor lately.
- Alex Ovechkin / Dylan Strome / Tom Wilson (WSH) vs. Vegas blue line (without Hanifin?): Washington’s veteran leadership and physicality (Wilson if in) should create net-front chaos.
- Goaltending edge: Adin Hill or Akira Schmid (VGK) vs. Logan Thompson / Charlie Lindgren (WSH). Thompson has been sharp at home recently.
Betting Trends & Advanced Stats
- Capitals are strong home favorites (~24-18 when favored) and 18-10-3 at Capital One Arena.
- Golden Knights are 14-8-7 on the road but just 21-37 ATS overall this season.
- Vegas is 4-4-2 L10; Washington has won 5 of its last 6.
- The Over has cashed in 36 of Vegas’ 58 games; totals trend Over in high-event inter-conference games.
- Road teams vs. Capitals without full health on blue line: mixed, but Washington covers well at home lately.
Game Odds
Vegas Golden Knights 5.5
Washington Capitals – 115
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, February 26, 2026
