The Nashville Predators head to Washington for an interconference matchup against the Capitals, with both teams hovering around .500 and fighting for playoff positioning. Nashville, coming off a 6-5 win over St. Louis, relies on a high-volume shooting attack (32.1 SPG, eighth in NHL) and Juuse Saros’ goaltending to exploit Washington’s recent defensive lapses (3.4 GAA in last 10). The Capitals, losers of their last game 4-2 to Philadelphia, need Alex Ovechkin and Dylan Strome to step up amid goaltending questions with Logan Thompson sidelined. This could be a grind-it-out game, with Nashville’s road resilience (13-12-3 away) clashing against Washington’s home struggles (16-10-3), potentially decided by special teams where the Preds’ power play (22.1%, 12th) tests the Caps’ penalty kill (79.8%, 19th).
Venue Location
Capital One Arena, Washington, DC.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET (4:00 PM PT).
Injury Report
Both teams are relatively healthy, but Nashville’s defense is thinned, and Washington’s goaltending depth is tested with their backup on IR. Monitor last-minute updates, as no day-to-day issues are reported for key players.
Nashville Predators:
Out: Nicolas Hague (D, lower body).
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Questionable/Day-to-Day: None reported.
Washington Capitals:
Out: Logan Thompson (G, IR – upper body, expected return Feb. 5 or later).
Questionable/Day-to-Day: None reported.
Key Player Matchups
Injuries shift focus to Nashville’s offense vs. Washington’s veteran core. Projected goalies: Juuse Saros (NSH, .904 SV%, 2.86 GAA) vs. Charlie Lindgren (WSH, assuming Thompson out). Top lines: Preds’ Forsberg-Johansen-Novak vs. Caps’ Ovechkin-Strome-Oshie.
Filip Forsberg (NSH, LW) vs. Alex Ovechkin (WSH, LW): Forsberg (0.98 PPG, 28 goals) is Nashville’s sniper with power-play prowess; Ovechkin (0.92 PPG, chasing Gretzky’s record) brings physicality and one-timers—expect a battle of elite shooters.
Roman Josi (NSH, D) vs. Dylan Strome (WSH, C): Josi (0.85 PPG from blue line) adds offense and shutdown D; Strome (playmaker, 0.88 PPG) must navigate Josi’s gaps in transition.
Juuse Saros (NSH, G) vs. Charlie Lindgren (WSH, G): Saros (consistent starter) faces Washington’s shots (29.2 SPG); Lindgren (backup thrust into role) vulnerable to Nashville’s volume (32.1 SPG).
Other Notes: Without Hague, Nashville leans on Dante Fabbro vs. Philly’s forecheck; Washington’s John Carlson adds PP QB duties vs. Ottawa’s PK.
Recent Team Forms
Nashville Predators (5-4-1 in last 10 games): Averaging 3.2 GPG while allowing 3.1. They’ve alternated wins, with a 1W streak: W 6-5 vs STL (Feb 2), L 3-4 at CAR, W 4-3 at PIT, W 4-1 vs NJD, W 5-2 vs COL. Road form: 4-5-1 in last 10 away, but 8-2 when scoring first.
Washington Capitals (4-5-1 in last 10 games): Averaging 2.9 GPG while allowing 3.3. They’ve gone 4-5-1, with a 1L streak: L 2-4 vs PHI (Feb 3), W 4-3 OT vs DET, S/O W 4-3 vs SEA, L 5-6 OT vs EDM, L 3-4 OT vs CGY. Home form: 6-4 in last 10 home, but 2-3 in last 5 as favorites.
Series History
The Predators lead the all-time series 21-19-4, with a 3-1 edge in the last four meetings, including a 4-1 win on Jan. 11, 2026. In Washington, Nashville is 2-1 in the last three visits. Recent games average 5.8 total goals, with under hitting in 4/6; Nashville covered as road underdogs in two straight wins here.
Betting Trends
Spread (ATS): Predators 25-31 ATS overall, 13-15 on road; Capitals 28-30 ATS, 15-14 at home, 4-6 ATS in last 10.
Over/Under: Over has hit in 5 of Predators’ last 10 (50%) and 6 of Capitals’ last 10 (60%), with combined averages at 6.2 GPG recently; series trends under in 4/6.
Game Odds
Nashville Predators 6.5
Washington Capitals – 162
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, February 4, 2026
