The two best teams in the NHL face off head-to-head in a potential NHL Stanley Cup preview. Despite the exceptional talent on the ice from both teams, all eyes will be on one man: Alexander Ovechkin. Ovechkin is now just seven goals shy of breaking the NHL goal record, as the Great 8 continues his poetic pursuit of the Great One. The two conference leaders facing off in the final month of the season is a rare occurrence, and this game promises to be full of action on both ends of the ice. Can Ovechkin inch closer to breaking the goal record, or will Vezina Trophy favorite Connor Hellebuyck shut the door on the greatest goal scorer in hockey history?
Matchup: Capitals vs Jets Overview
- Teams: Washington Capitals vs Winnipeg Jets
- Date: Thursday, March 20th, 2025
- Time: Puck drop is at 8:00 PM EST (7:00 PM local time)
- Venue: Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Win Probabilities:
The Washington Capitals are coming in as rare underdogs for this matchup and have been given just a 43.55% chance to win according to NHL win probabilities. By combining insights from recent NHL games with expert predictions, the Winnipeg Jets have been given a 56.45% chance to beat Washington in this Tuesday night thriller.
Projected Final Score:
The projected final score for the Capitals vs. Jets matchup is Winnipeg Jets 3-2 Washington Capitals.
Capitals vs Jets Odds
The Capitals and Jets are the two best teams in the league, and there is little to separate them on the odds for this showdown between the league’s best teams. The Jets have been dominant at home, which has tilted the odds in their favor for this matchup. This game will feature two of the league’s top goalies, but with talented scorers on both benches, the Over 5.5 goals line comes in with -125 odds.
| Washington Capitals | Winnipeg Jets | |
| Moneyline | +115 | -160 |
| Puck Line | +1.5 (-220) | -1.5 (+154) |
| Total | Over 5.5 Goals (-125) | Under 5.5 Goals (-112) |
Expert Prediction: Who Wins?
Why the Washington Capitals Could Win
The Washington Capitals have defied all expectations this season. Alexander Ovechkin has not only scored 35 goals this year despite breaking his leg midway through the season, but he has also led the Washington Capitals to first place in the Eastern Conference. The turnaround for this team is truly remarkable, and it appears inevitable that Ovechkin will break Wayne Gretzky’s goal record this season (possibly in fewer games than Gretzky, which would make this achievement even crazier).
While Ovechkin’s resurgence has garnered plenty of national attention, the Capitals’ rise to the top has been driven by the play of Dylan Strome and Logan Thompson. Strome leads the team with 68 points and has already broken his career high with 12 games remaining. In goal, Logan Thompson has emerged after a slow start to his career, posting a .917 save percentage and a 2.30 GAA this season. Across the ice, Connor Hellebuyck has struggled against the Capitals recently, registering just an .854 save percentage in his last two starts.
The Great 8’s chase for the NHL goal record will remain the primary focus for the Capitals, especially with little to play for in the regular season (aside from the President’s Trophy), but this matchup serves as a crucial test for Washington against one of the most consistent teams in the league. The Capitals have won nine of their last ten games and bring a four-game win streak into this matchup. They will need to play near-perfect hockey away from home against the Jets, but they could certainly surprise the NHL odds with a huge victory in this high-stakes showdown.
Why the Winnipeg Jets Could Win
The Winnipeg Jets have slowed in recent weeks, going just 6-4 in their last 10 games. They still hold a healthy lead over the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference but will need to regain their form with the playoffs fast approaching.
The NHL odds have Connor Hellebuyck as a -10000 favorite to win the Vezina Trophy, a testament to how dominant he has been for the Jets this season. His 2.06 GAA and .924 save percentage both lead the league, and he has single-handedly stolen games for Winnipeg. Not only does he make the necessary stops, but his presence has given the defense a significant lift, knowing they have a brick wall in goal.
Hellebuyck is a big reason why the Winnipeg Jets are where they are in the standings, but tons of credit has to go to their skaters too. Kyle Connor has erupted for 86 points this season, with him and Mark Scheifele combining for 72 goals this year. Both are having career years, and their partnership on the top line has led to goals on a nightly basis. The Jets will need another huge performance from Hellebuyck to slow Ovechkin’s pursuit of the goal record, but if they contain him and keep him off the scoresheet, they have a good chance to claim the win in this potential Stanley Cup Final preview.
How to Make Washington Capitals vs Winnipeg Jets Picks
The best place to make your free Washington Capitals vs. Winnipeg Jets picks is Sportzino. Sportzino offers the best NHL odds for every game this season and has several promotions surrounding Ovechkin’s chase for Gretzky’s goal-scoring record. Be sure to use the expert NHL predictions to guide your free NHL picks for this can’t-miss matchup.
