Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET
Venue: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
Metropolitan Division rivals meet in the first half of a home-and-home (they play again Saturday in Washington). The Devils hold the better overall record and a strong home mark, while the Capitals enter on a two-game win streak after a hard-fought overtime victory in Ottawa. Broadcasts include MNMT (Caps market), MSGSN (Devils market), and streaming options such as ESPN+/DAZN depending on location.
Current Player Rosters & Key Contributors
Capitals (key forwards/defense/goalies):
Forwards: Alex Tuch (strong goal-scoring form, ~11 G), Dylan Strome (team points leader, ~3 G, 12 A), Jordan Kyrou, Aliaksei Protas, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Tom Wilson, Alex Ovechkin (limited production early in farewell season), Boone Jenner, Ryan Leonard, Anthony Beauvillier, others in the mix.
Defense: Jakob Chychrun, Matt Roy, Martin Fehérváry, Cole Hutson (emerging impact, OT hero in recent win), Timothy Liljegren, Jack St. Ivany.
Goalies: Logan Thompson (primary, ~7-4-0, ~3.09 GAA, .891 SV% in recent sample); Charlie Lindgren (backup).
Projected lines often feature Tuch-Strome-Kyrou (top), Protas-Dubois-Wilson, with Ovechkin on a lower unit and Hutson seeing significant ice.
Devils (key forwards/defense/goalies):
Forwards: Jack Hughes (team leader, high points pace including recent multi-point games), Jesper Bratt, Arseny Gritsyuk (strong goal production), Nico Hischier, Timo Meier, Luke Evangelista, Connor Brown, Stefan Noesen, Evan Rodrigues, Cody Glass, and depth options.
Defense: Luke Hughes, Jonas Siegenthaler, Dougie Hamilton, Brenden Dillon, Declan Chisholm, and supporting pieces (Kovacevic status pending).
Goalies: Connor Hellebuyck (expected starter after acquisition impact; strong underlying numbers in limited recent sample, e.g., high SV% stretches); Jake Allen (backup).
Typical lines include Gritsyuk-Hughes-Bratt and Meier-Hischier-Evangelista.
Listed Injury Reports
Capitals:
Rasmus Sandin (D, knee) – out (LTIR; longer-term, expected multi-week).
Vincent Desharnais (D, abdomen) – out (IR; multi-week recovery).
Patrick Thomas (C, upper body) – out (IR/non-roster).
Devils:
Anthony Mantha (RW, neck/throat) – out (LTIR).
Seamus Casey (D, knee) – out (IR; longer recovery post-surgery).
Johnathan Kovacevic (D, undisclosed) – day-to-day (missed some activity; status uncertain).
Brett Pesce (D, illness) – possible out/scratch for this game.
Both teams are managing blue-line depth issues. The Capitals lean on younger contributors like Hutson; the Devils have recalled depth help as needed.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups
Jack Hughes vs. Capitals top defensive pairing / Strome line: Hughes drives New Jersey’s offense with speed and playmaking. Containing him (and the Hughes-Bratt-Gritsyuk unit) is critical for Washington.
Alex Tuch / Dylan Strome vs. Devils structure and Hellebuyck: Tuch’s finishing and Strome’s playmaking test New Jersey’s defensive layers and elite goaltending.
Cole Hutson vs. Devils forwards: The young Caps defenseman has shown offensive flash (including recent OT heroics) and will be asked to contribute in all zones against a skilled attack.
Tom Wilson / physical Capitals elements vs. Devils skill players: Wilson’s net-front presence and physicality can disrupt New Jersey’s flow.
Goaltending: Logan Thompson vs. Connor Hellebuyck: Thompson has delivered timely saves (including in the recent OT win). Hellebuyck’s presence elevates New Jersey’s ceiling; head-to-head history and recent form favor the home side if he starts.
Special teams are middling for both (PP ~18% range). New Jersey’s penalty kill has struggled significantly (~65.9%, near bottom of the league), which could open opportunities for Washington.
Recent Team Forms
Capitals (last 10: 7-3-0): Two straight wins, including a 3-2 OT road victory at Ottawa (Hutson OT winner after a strong Thompson performance) and a home win over Florida. They score at a solid clip (~3.50 GF/GP) but allow more (~3.31 GA/GP). Road results are mixed.
Devils (last 10: 8-2-0): Excellent stretch overall with a strong home record (8-2-0 at Prudential Center cited in previews). They suffered a 4-2 loss at Winnipeg that ended a winning streak but remain one of the hotter teams in the East. Offense is potent (~3.53 GF/GP) and they allow fewer goals (~2.89 GA/GP).
Series History
Washington leads the 2026-27 season series 1-0 after a 4-2 home win on October 17 (Thompson strong in net). These Metropolitan rivals typically produce competitive, physical games. Broader recent history is relatively even, with both sides capable of high-event contests. This is the first of four planned meetings this season and the start of the home-and-home.
Betting Trends
Totals hover around 6 or 6.5, with some lean toward the over given both teams’ scoring rates and New Jersey’s weaker penalty kill. Home ice and the Devils’ recent form drive the favorite status, though Washington’s recent results and the prior win keep the underdog price reasonable.
New Jersey’s superior record, home ice, and skill up front (Hughes leading the way) should edge a competitive Metropolitan clash. Washington’s recent resilience and ability to steal points (plus potential special-teams opportunities) keep it close, but the Devils’ overall form and goaltending edge make them slight favorites to take the first half of the home-and-home. Expect a fast-paced, skill-oriented game with physical undertones.
Game Odds
Washington Capitals 6
New Jersey Devils – 154
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Wednesday, November 11, 2026
