Washington Capitals
A preview of the 2026-27 NHL season for the Washington Capitals, including predictions from VSiN NHL Expert Jonathan Davis. For all other NHL team previews, check out our NHL page.
Key Additions: Alex Tuch, Jordan Kyrou, Boone Jenner, Vincent Desharnais, Justin Holl
Key Departures: Connor McMichael, Hendrix Lapierre, Trevor Van Riemsdyk, Brandon Duhaime
Overview
The Capitals fell three points short of the playoffs for the 11th time in 12 seasons, despite more regulation wins (37) than their division rivals, the Philadelphia Flyers (27) and Pittsburgh Penguins (34), both of whom made the playoffs. Yes, the Capitals finished with 16 fewer points than the prior season, but their 95 points gave them the 12th-best record in the NHL and the same total as the Vegas Golden Knights, who were Stanley Cup Finalists. General Manager Chris Patrick had a busy offseason bolstering the roster that I will touch on below.
Offense
The Capitals scored 261 goals last season, 15th-best in the NHL, but their 180 goals at full strength and even strength ranked ninth overall. It was the power play where the Capitals struggled, finishing 25th overall. Alexander Ovechkin’s five goals with the extra man marked just the third time in his 21-year career that he did not have at least 13 power play goals in a season. At the ripe age of 40, the Great 8 led the Capitals with 32 goals and 64 points. To address some of their goal-scoring issues, the Caps acquired Alex Tuch from the Buffalo Sabres and Jordan Kyrou from the St. Louis Blues. Tuch is coming off back-to-back 30-goal seasons (33,36) and has hit the mark in three of the past four seasons. After three consecutive 30-goal seasons (36, 31, 37), Kyrou slumped to 18 last season. He has been on the Caps’ radar for a few years, and Washington believes a change of scenery is all he needs to get back on track. Washington covered the Puck Line in 31 of its 43 wins last season (72%).
Defense
The 238 goals surrendered by the Washington Capitals had them tied with the Los Angeles Kings for the seventh-fewest goals given up last season, and it was just three more goals than the Minnesota Wild, who finished fourth overall. Jakob Chychrun led all NHL defensemen with 26 goals and eight game-winners last season. With John Carlson’s trade last season, Chychrun is the clear quarterback of the power play. Matt Roy, Rasmus Sandin, Martin Fehervary and newly acquired Vincent Desharnais are all solid defenders. The highly touted Cole Hutson (2024, 2nd-round pick) had three goals (two into an empty net) and 10 points in the final 14 games of the season after leaving Boston University.
Goaltending
With Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren, the Capitals have one of the league’s better goaltending tandems. Thompson is coming off back-to-back 31-win seasons since being acquired in a trade from the Vegas Golden Knights. Thompson has finished in the top ten in goals against average and save percentage each of the last two seasons, and his four shutouts in the 2025-26 season were tied for third most in the league. Lindgren has earned points for the Capitals in 35 of his 60 appearances (29 wins) over the past two seasons combined.
Player to Watch
Ryan Leonard is an impending Unrestricted Free Agent and is coming off his first full NHL season, scoring 20 goals and adding 25 assists. In his two seasons at Boston College, he scored an incredible 61 goals in 78 games. The kid can flat-out put the puck in the net. Keep an eye on his anytime goal props during the season.
Outlook
With all their off-season moves, the Capitals have become one of the deepest teams, not just in the Eastern Conference but the entire NHL. Back in June, I grabbed the Capitals (+500) to finish first in the Metropolitan Division, and I would still grab it where it sits now (+370). In my view, the division is a two-horse race between the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes (+100 to win the Metro Division) and the Washington Capitals. Washington (+900) to win the Eastern Conference and (+1700) to win the Stanley Cup in what could be Alexander Ovechkin’s final season offer good value as you build your future bets portfolio. The Capitals don’t get any breaks out of the gate, opening with back-to-back games against Carolina and Tampa.
Team Futures
Regular Season Points: 101.5 (Over -115, Under -115)
To Make the Playoffs: (-260)
To Miss the Playoffs: (+210)
To Win the Division: (+370)
To Win the Eastern Conference: (+900)
To Win the Stanley Cup: (+1700)
2025-26 Recap
Record: 43-30-9 (95 points, 4th Metropolitan Division)
Over/Under: 37-44-1
Home Favorite: 21-13 // Home Dog: 4-2
Road Favorite: 9-6 // Road Dog: 9-14
Win Score 4 or more: 27 of 43 // Lose Give Up 4 or more: 24 of 39
Puck Line Wins: 31 of 43 // Puck Line Losses: 24 of 39
Front End Back-to-Back: 10-3 // Back End Back-to-Back: 5-8
Points Leader: Alex Ovechkin – 64
Goal Leader: Alex Ovechkin – 32
Teams First Goal Leader: Tom Wilson – 10
Assist Leader: Dylan Strome – 39
Shots on Goal Leader: Alex Ovechkin – 244
Blocked Shots: Martin Fehervary – 176
Depth Chart
Forwards
Alex Tuch / Dylan Strome / Jordan Kyrou
Alexei Protas / Pierre-Luc Dubois / Tom Wilson
Alexander Ovechkin / Boone Jenner / Ryan Leonard
Ilya Protas / Justin Sourdif / Anthony Beauvillier
Defense
Jakob Chychrun / Matt Roy
Martin Fehervary / Vincent Desharnais
Cole Hutson / Timothy Liljegren
Goalies
Logan Thompson / Charlie Lindgren
