The Washington Capitals (25-22-7) visit the Detroit Red Wings (32-17-5) in an interconference matchup that pits the Capitals’ veteran grit against the Red Wings’ balanced attack in a battle for crucial points. Washington is struggling through a 3-6-1 stretch in their last 10 games, including a recent 1-5 loss to the Seattle Kraken, while Detroit looks to rebound from a 1-3 defeat to the Los Angeles Kings amid a strong 32-17-5 season. This is the first meeting between the teams this season, but the Red Wings have historically held the edge in recent encounters. With injuries impacting both rosters, expect a defensive-minded game at Little Caesars Arena, where Detroit’s home-ice advantage could prove decisive, but Washington’s power play might exploit opportunities for an upset.
Venue Location
Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. PT).
The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and local networks, with radio coverage available.
Recent Team Forms
The Capitals rank 22nd in goals per game (2.85) and 20th in goals against (3.10), with a power play at 17.2% (24th) and penalty kill at 79.0% (21st). The Red Wings are 10th in goals per game (3.20) and 12th in goals against (2.85), with a power play at 22.0% (11th) and penalty kill at 81.5% (14th).
Washington Capitals (Last 10 Games: 3-6-1, Avg. 2.8 GPG)
Recent Streak: Lost 1.
Key Results:
Jan. 27 @ SEA: L 1-5 (Ovechkin PPG; poor special teams).
Jan. 25 @ EDM: W 4-3 (Ovechkin G+A).
Jan. 24 vs. NYR: L 3-4 (OT).
Jan. 22 @ WSH recent: Mixed, averaging 2.8 goals, 3.3 against.
Strengths: Power play contributions from Ovechkin (PPG in loss); Veteran leadership. Weaknesses: Defensive breakdowns (3.3 GAA in last 10); 11-13-3 on road.
Detroit Red Wings (Last 10 Games: 6-3-1, Avg. 3.15 GPG)
Recent Streak: Lost 1.
Key Results:
Jan. 27 vs. LAK: L 1-3 (Kane assist for milestone; Gibson 19 saves).
Jan. 25 vs. TOR: W 3-2 (OT) (Larkin GWG).
Jan. 23 vs. VGK: W 5-1.
Jan. 21 @ TBL: L 2-3.
Jan. 19 vs. PHI: W 5-3.
Strengths: Resilient overtime play (recent OT wins); Kane tying U.S.-born points record (1,374). Weaknesses: Allowing 2.85 GAA; Home inconsistencies (16-8-3).
Injury Report
Injuries weaken both squads, with the Capitals missing depth on defense and the Red Wings without a key young defenseman.
Washington Capitals:
OUT: Pierre-Luc Dubois (LW, Undisclosed; IR).
DAY-TO-DAY: Matt Roy (D, Lower Body).
DAY-TO-DAY: Rasmus Sandin (D, Lower Body).
OUT: Eriks Mateiko (LW, Undisclosed; IR).
Detroit Red Wings:
OUT: Simon Edvinsson (D, Lower Body; expected return Feb. 26).
Key
Player Matchups
Expected starting lineups amid injuries:
Capitals Forwards: Alex Ovechkin – Dylan Strome – Tom Wilson; Jakub Vrana – Connor McMichael – Andrew Mangiapane; Hendrix Lapierre – Nic Dowd – Taylor Raddysh; Aliaksei Protas – Pierre-Luc Dubois (out; adjustments with Nic Aube-Kubel).
Red Wings Forwards: Alex DeBrincat – Dylan Larkin – Lucas Raymond; Vladimir Tarasenko – J.T. Compher – Patrick Kane; Jonatan Berggren – Andrew Copp – Christian Fischer; Joe Veleno – Michael Rasmussen – Daniel Sprong.
Capitals Defense: Jakob Chychrun – John Carlson; Rasmus Sandin (day-to-day) – Trevor van Riemsdyk; Martin Fehervary – Matt Roy (day-to-day; adjustments with Alexander Alexeyev).
Red Wings Defense: Jake Walman – Moritz Seider; Simon Edvinsson (out; adjustments with Olli Maatta) – Jeff Petry; Albert Johansson – Justin Holl.
Goalies: Capitals – Logan Thompson (25 GP, 14-8-3, 2.85 GAA, .900 SV%); Red Wings – Cam Talbot (30 GP, 17-10-3, 2.75 GAA, .905 SV%).
Key Matchups:
Alex Ovechkin vs. Moritz Seider: Ovechkin (power-play threat) tests Seider’s shutdown ability.
Dylan Larkin vs. Dylan Strome: Larkin (25 G, 35 A) speed vs. Strome’s playmaking (15 G, 30 A).
Patrick Kane vs. John Carlson: Kane (milestone assist; 20 G, 40 A) exploits gaps vs. Carlson’s experience.
Goalie Duel: Thompson vs. Talbot: Thompson’s volume saves vs. Talbot’s consistency.
Series History
All-time: Red Wings lead 57-54-23 in 134 regular-season games.
No playoff meetings. Recently: Capitals 5-4-1 in last 10 games vs. Red Wings.
Capitals won 4-3 on Dec. 19, 2022; Red Wings won 4-3 OT on Feb. 21, 2023, etc.
Betting Trends
Over/Under: Trending under due to defensive trends and injuries. ATS Trends: Red Wings 28-26 ATS (15-12 as favorites); Capitals 24-30 ATS (12-15 as underdogs). Red Wings 4-6 ATS in last 10; Capitals 3-7 ATS in last 10. Over in 5 of Red Wings’ last 7 home; Under in 4 of Capitals’ last 6 road.
Game Odds
Washington Capitals 6.5
Detroit Red Wings – 130
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, January 28, 2026
