NFL Previews 
MLB Previews 
NBA Previews 
NHL Previews 
Soccer Previews 
The Anaheim Ducks head to Capital One Arena to face the Washington Capitals on Monday, January 5, 2026, with puck drop set for 7:00 PM ET on ESPN+. Anaheim comes in sliding hard, carrying a five-game losing streak that has drained most of the early-season optimism. Washington isn’t exactly cruising either, but this is still a home spot against a team that’s leaking goals and confidence.
Anaheim is 21-17-3, and they’re still near the top of the Pacific, but the vibes are ugly. The Ducks have gone 2-7-2 over their last 11 after starting 19-10-1, and the defensive numbers have gotten louder as the losses stack up. Washington is 21-15-6 and trying to stabilize after a choppy stretch, and this rematch has a little extra bite after Anaheim took the first meeting in a shootout back on Dec. 5.
This price sits in that range where one lineup decision can move everything. Washington’s top-six availability matters, and Anaheim’s goaltending situation matters even more, because if the Ducks aren’t clean with the puck, this can get away from them quickly.
Anaheim Ducks vs Washington Capitals Odds
These are the current betting lines, and bettors should always monitor updated numbers leading into puck drop as goalie confirmations and late scratches can move the market. For the latest NHL odds, check latest NHL odds.
| Team | Moneyline | Puck Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anaheim Ducks | +120 | +1.5 (-200) | O 6.5 (+100) |
| Washington Capitals | -140 | -1.5 (+170) | U 6.5 (-120) |
Anaheim Ducks Betting Form
Anaheim’s problem right now isn’t just losing, it’s how they’re losing. The Ducks are allowing 3.56 goals per game, worst in the league, and it shows up in the same spots over and over: careless turnovers, rushed clears, and long defensive-zone shifts that end with someone wide open in the slot. Even when they generate offense, it feels like they’re constantly trying to win 4-3 because a clean 2-1 game just isn’t there for them lately.
Lukas Dostal is the biggest swing factor. He’s sitting at 13-10 with a 3.22 GAA and an .887 save percentage, and it’s fair to say he’s been hung out to dry at times. Still, the bet is the bet. If Anaheim can’t tighten up puck management, it almost doesn’t matter who starts in net, because the volume of quality chances against will catch up. If you want to track the splits and recent results cleanly, Anaheim Ducks stats and results is the best snapshot.
Availability matters here, so monitor the Anaheim Ducks injury report before puck drop. Anaheim’s lineup can look fine on paper, then one missing puck-mover on the back end turns their exits into panic plays.
Washington Capitals Betting Form
Washington has been uneven over the last couple of weeks, but the home baseline is still solid, and they’re generally a more structured five-on-five team than Anaheim. The Caps can win this game without needing everything to go right. They can win it by keeping Anaheim pinned, forcing those bad touches, and letting the game come to them.
The injury angle is the headline, though. If key forwards are limited or out, Washington’s scoring ceiling dips, and it makes the -140 less comfortable. It’s not just goals, either. Washington’s identity leans on winning the hard minutes, getting to the interior, and creating second chances. If they’re missing pieces that drive that style, you can end up with a game that feels tighter than the matchup suggests. For a broader view of form and home splits, Washington Capitals schedule and stats is the quickest way to see what’s trending.
Before you lock anything in, check the Washington Capitals injury report. If Washington’s top-six mix changes late, it can affect not only the side but also how you should think about the total and team totals.
Anaheim Ducks vs Washington Capitals Matchup Breakdown
This matchup is really about game state. Anaheim can score, but they’ve been too loose defensively, and Washington is the type of team that can punish that without needing a track meet. If the Caps get the first goal, the live betting angle usually favors Washington even more, because Anaheim’s game management tends to unravel when they start forcing offense.
Goaltending is also a real factor tonight. Logan Thompson is the expected option for Washington and Dostal is the likely starter for Anaheim, but neither is something I’d call “locked” early in the day. That matters because the total is sitting at 6.5, and one surprise goalie can swing your entire read. If you’re building a process for handling goalie uncertainty, rest spots, and how totals inflate in games involving sloppy teams, the NHL betting guide lays it out well without overcomplicating it.
Special teams are where Anaheim can hang around. If Washington takes penalties and Anaheim converts early, the whole game changes. But if this stays mostly five-on-five, I think Washington’s structure and home deployment are the difference. Anaheim’s turnover issues are exactly the kind of thing Washington can turn into sustained pressure.
Anaheim Ducks vs Washington Capitals Predictions and Best Bets
I lean Washington moneyline (-140). The number isn’t a steal, but it’s also not pricing Washington like a dominant team, and that’s about right. This is more about trusting the Capitals to play a cleaner game than trusting Anaheim to suddenly fix what’s been breaking them for two weeks.
The only thing that gives me pause is Washington’s forward availability. If key scorers sit, you’re laying a favorite price on a team that might have to win a lower-scoring, grinding game. Still, even in that version, Washington’s path looks clearer than Anaheim’s. Anaheim’s path requires them to play clean with the puck, and they haven’t been doing it.
On the total, I get why the market is shaded to the under at 6.5, but I’m not forcing it. Anaheim’s defensive mistakes can blow up an under even when the game “feels” controlled, and 6.5 is a number where you can land on 6 and feel like you played it right but still don’t cash. If you want to get creative, the Washington puck line at plus money is the “Ducks collapse” angle, but I’d rather not ask for margin when a one-goal game is always live in the NHL.
Best Bet: Washington Capitals moneyline (-140).
NHL Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you’re betting NHL regularly, the edge usually comes from comparing multiple opinions and staying disciplined with price, not locking into one narrative. The easiest way to do that is starting with today’s NHL picks and seeing how different handicappers are attacking the slate across sides and totals.
You can also keep it performance-driven. Use the handicapper leaderboard to track who’s actually producing long term, then browse more profiles on the top sports handicappers page to find styles that match how you bet. If you want larger daily cards and more volume, you can buy expert picks and follow premium plays. For more matchup context beyond one game, the NHL previews hub keeps everything organized, and if you’re mixing in futures alongside daily betting, the Stanley Cup betting guide is a useful framework for timing and price discipline.
