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Dallas Stars vs Washington Capitals Picks and Predictions – January 7, 2026
Two struggling teams meet in the nation’s capital as the Dallas Stars visit the Washington Capitals on Wednesday night at Capital One Arena. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. ET, and both sides are desperate to stabilize after rocky stretches.
Washington (5-6-4 in its last 15) enters this one clinging to playoff position in the East but still searching for back-to-back wins for the first time since early December. The Caps snapped a brief losing skid with a 7-4 win over Anaheim on Monday, powered by a vintage Alex Ovechkin performance and a breakout game from rookie Justin Sourdif.
On the other side, Dallas is mired in its worst stretch of the season — a six-game losing streak (0-3-3) and coming off another defensive letdown in Tuesday’s 6-3 loss at Carolina. The Stars have given up 28 goals during this slide and now play the second half of a back-to-back with questions in net.
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Dallas Stars vs Washington Capitals Odds
These are the current lines for this matchup, but bettors should always check the latest NHL odds for movement or goalie confirmations before locking anything in.
| Team | Moneyline | Puck Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Stars | +120 | +1.5 (-190) | O 6.0 (-110) |
| Washington Caps | -143 | -1.5 (+155) | U 6.0 (-110) |
Dallas Stars Betting Form
The Stars haven’t won since Dec. 21, and this six-game skid has exposed real issues in their defensive structure and goaltending. Dallas has allowed at least four goals in every game during the streak, and even normally reliable Jake Oettinger has faltered — yanked after five goals on 15 shots Tuesday in Carolina.
Oettinger owns a spotless 6-0-0 record vs Washington in his career (1.25 GAA, .958 SV%), but it’s unclear if he’ll get the start again with Casey DeSmith available. Either way, this defense needs a reset.
Offensively, the Stars still have talent. Wyatt Johnston has three goals in his last two games, and Jason Robertson has seven points in his last four. But sloppy neutral zone play and inconsistent effort in the D-zone continue to sabotage them.
For more on their current stats and trends, check the Dallas Stars stats and results. Availability remains a concern, so monitor the Dallas Stars injury report before game time.
Washington Capitals Betting Form
The Capitals have been stuck in a “win one, lose one” loop for weeks, but Monday’s 7-4 win over the Ducks might be the breakthrough they needed. Alex Ovechkin ended a four-game goal drought with two tallies, and Justin Sourdif notched a hat trick plus two assists in a stunning breakout.
Washington is still banged up, notably missing Tom Wilson and Aliaksei Protas — two of their top five scorers. They’re both listed day-to-day, so their status matters here. Check the Washington Capitals injury report ahead of puck drop.
Charlie Lindgren was brilliant with 41 saves Monday, but the Caps might turn back to Logan Thompson (2.37 GAA), who was solid in his last start and held up well in their earlier 1-0 loss at Dallas. At home, the Caps have tightened things up defensively, and their recent special teams performance has been more stable.
Explore more trends and stats via the Washington Capitals schedule and stats.
Dallas Stars vs Washington Capitals Matchup Breakdown
This game pits two teams with serious inconsistencies but different pressure levels. Washington is rested, playing at home, and coming off a confidence-boosting win. Dallas is reeling and on the second night of a back-to-back with tired legs and question marks in net.
Here’s where the edges point:
- Rest Advantage: Washington had Tuesday off; Dallas played and gave up six goals.
- Goaltending Form: Lindgren or Thompson > Oettinger (current form) or DeSmith.
- Motivation: Revenge angle for Washington after being shut out 1-0 in Dallas earlier this season.
- Special Teams: Caps’ PK trending up; Stars’ PP has slipped during the skid.
If Oettinger starts, Washington will still test him early. If DeSmith gets the nod, the Over becomes more viable.
Need help interpreting these angles? Our NHL betting guide can sharpen your edge with matchup-specific strategies.
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Dallas Stars vs Washington Capitals Predictions and Best Bets
This is a favorable situational spot for the Capitals. They’ve had rest, home ice, and just lit the lamp seven times. They also get a Stars team that hasn’t held a lead longer than a few minutes in any recent game and can’t keep the puck out of their net.
Washington’s inconsistencies are real, but the market is already pricing in some of that volatility. With this moneyline sitting below -150, there’s still value on the side.
The total is trickier. If it’s Oettinger, lean Under. If it’s DeSmith, Over is the smarter look. But the side is the stronger position in this matchup.
Best Bet: Washington Capitals moneyline (-143).
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