Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, our writers here at Last Word On Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we will look at the Vancouver Canucks taking on the Washington Capitals. Don’t forget to check out more NHL Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2025-26 season.
NHL Predictions: Washington Capitals at Vancouver Canucks
2025-2026 Season Series: Vancouver 1-0 Washington
Time: 10:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), 7:00 p.m. Pacific
How to Watch: Sportsnet+, SN, MNMT, ESPN+, NHL Centre Ice
Location: Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Vancouver continues their eight-game homestand against a Washington team desperately chasing a playoff spot. The Canucks set a franchise record for longest losing streak last game, and currently sit at 11-consecutive losses. Washington sits at 24-20-6 after 50 games, with 54 points, while Vancouver sits at 16-28-5 after 49 games, with 37 points. This is the second and final meeting between these two teams. The Canucks won the previous game, 4-3, on October 19th.
The Capitals Story
The Capitals could not be faltering at a worse time. They have lost four of their last five games, during their chase of a Stanley Cup Playoff spot. However, they remain only three points back of Buffalo for the second Wild Card spot. Washington also sits three points back of Pittsburgh for third in the Metropolitan Division. It is simply a matter of finding a consistent game. Their special teams may be their biggest pain point, as they rank 28th on the power play at 16.0%, and 22nd on the penalty kill at 77.6%. Other than that, analytically, they have been fine, but it just takes more than “fine” to be a playoff team. Ah, just ask the Ottawa Senators.
The Canucks Story
11-straight losses are where the Canucks are sitting at. They had a strong effort against the New York Islanders on Monday, but a loss is still a loss. The effort has been present in most games, but they just do not have the firepower to get the results.
Head coach Adam Foote did not hold back on his team in his post-game interview last game. “Our veterans are the ones that feel defeated first,” he said. “It’s been going on here for a few years. You know, we get off our game, we get frustrated and we overcomplicate it and, you know, slamming the gate and things like that. It’s something we’ve got to get out of our culture, where our culture is not going to be that anymore.”
Clearly, Foote needed to comment on the mindset and attitude of the team during a skid like this one. It brings into question whether or not the veterans on the Canucks are right ones to lead this team through a rebuild. You can only hope it gives the team a jolt, just anything to push the team to win a game.
Head Coach Adam Foote discusses tonight’s game against the New York Islanders.#Canucks | @theprovince pic.twitter.com/UKiZGxxp4M
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) January 20, 2026
Starting Goalies
Below are the projected starters for tonight’s game. Please check social media for the most updated information before locking in your daily fantasy lineups.
The Capitals will likely start Logan Thompson for this game. In 35 games this season, he has a record of 17-14-4, a 2.38 goals-against average, and a .914 save percentage. As one of the selected goalies for Team Canada for the upcoming 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, he has been solid in net.
For Vancouver, we expect Kevin Lankinen to get the start. In the absence of Thatcher Demko, Lankinen will carry the lion’s share of games in this stretch. In 25 games this season, he has a record of 6-14-4, a 3.40 goals-against average, and an .886 save percentage. He is also a goalie that will play in the upcoming Olympics, for Team Finland. For a team as porous defensively as the Canucks are, the goalies have had a rough time this season. Lankinen is no exception to that.
NHL Predictions
This is a game that Washington just has to have, if they are serious about pushing for a playoff spot. If they can exploit the Canucks’ poor defensive play and poor penalty killing, they should hand the Canucks a 12th-straight defeat.
Prediction: Capitals win 5-2.
Prop Bets
To wrap things up, here are our anytime goal scorer picks. For the Capitals, count on Tom Wilson, the leading scorer, to get a goal. On the Canucks side, we will pick Drew O’Connor to find the back of the net.
Main Photo Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
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