Washington Capitals at Florida Panthers Picks and Prediction for Monday, December 29, 2025

On Monday, the Washington Capitals (20-13-5, 45 points, 4th Metro) pay a visit to South Florida to play the Florida Panthers (20-15-2, 42 points, 4th Atlantic). Washington defeated the New Jersey Devils 4-3 in overtime on Saturday, snapping a three-game losing streak. Washington trails first place in the Metropolitan Division by four points. Florida lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-2 on Saturday night, and the Panthers have dropped two of the last three. Florida trails first place in the Atlantic division by 5 points. Make sure to read this in-depth Washington Capitals vs Florida Panthers prediction. The puck drops here—stay sharp with our NHL picks for the Washington Capitals at Florida Panthers prediction.

Washington’s attack has improved, while its defense is strong

The Washington Capitals have a 3.2 goals-for average and a 2.7 goals-against average, which are 9th and 6th, respectively, in the NHL. Washington averages 29.3 (8th) shots per game and allows an average of 27.4 (13th). Washington's power play is 28th, scoring 15.2% of the time the Capitals have the man advantage, while the penalty kill is 24th, holding opponents scoreless 76.7% of the time when short-handed.

Tom Wilson leads Washington in goals scored with 17 and points with 31. Alex Ovechkin and Jakob Chychrun are second in goals with 15 each. Dylan Strome and John Carlson are the leaders in assists with 21 each. Ovechkin is second in points with 33. Washington has 7 players with 21 or more points. The Capitals have scored 16 goals on the power play in 38 games. Aliaksei Protas is the leader in plus/minus at 23. Goalie Logan Thompson is 15-9-3 with a 2.27 goals against average and a .917 save percentage, while backup Charlie Lindgren is 5-4-2 with a 3.07 GAA and a .888 SV%.

Injuries: Washington will play without Pierre-Luc Dubois.

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The Florida Panthers have a goals-for average of 3.2 (9th) and a goals-against average of 3.1 (19th). Florida averages 29.2 (9th) shots per game and allows an average of 26.7 (7th). Florida's power play is 17th, scoring 19.0% of the time, and the penalty kill is 10th, holding opponents scoreless 82.2% of the time when short-handed.

Brad Marchand leads Florida in goals scored with 21, assists with 21, and points with 42. Sam Reinhart is second in goals with 19, second in assists with 20, and second in points with 39. Florida has six players with 21 or more points. Florida has scored 25 goals on the power play in 37 games. Niko Mikkola is the leader in plus/minus at 10. Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky is 16-8-1 with a 2.79 GAA and .888 SV%. Backup goalie Daniil Tarasov is 4-6-1 with a 2.97 GAA and a .900 SV%.

Injuries: Florida will play without Cole Schwindt, Jonah Gadjovich, Dmitry Kulikov, Aleksander Barkov, Tomas Nosek, and Matthew Tkachuk

Washington Capitals at Florida Panthers Pick

Spread Pick for Washington Capitals at Florida Panthers

• Florida Panthers (5 units)

The Washington Capitals have the 9th best goals for average at 3.2 and the sixth best goals against average of 2.7, while Florida is 9th in goals for at 3.2 but falls to 19th in both against at 3.1. However, Florida has dominated this matchup with Washington, winning six of the last seven games on its home ice against the Capitals and winning 10 of the last 13 games overall against Washington. The Capitals have lost six of their last eight games overall and Washington has dropped four of its last five games played on the road. Washington goalie Logan Thompson has a 2.27 goals against average but over the last three games played has a goals against average of 2.81 when allowing three goals to New Jersey, 6.18 when giving up six goals to the New York Rangers, and 4.08 when allowing four goals to the Detroit Red Wings.

Over/Under Pick for Washington Capitals at Florida Panthers

• Over (5 units)

The total has finished over in five of Florida's last six games, and four of Florida's last six games played at home, and in eight of the last 12 games head-to-head between Florida and Washington. Both goalies have solid goals against average, but evidenced by previous outcomes, when these two teams face off on the ice, goals come in bunches.