Capitals Edge Red Wings in Thrilling Shootout Finish
Thursday, January 29, 2026, 7:30 PM ET · Little Caesars Arena
Washington Capitals 4, Detroit Red Wings 3, final. Our NHL picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Washington Capitals vs Detroit Red Wings?
Washington Capitals beat Detroit Red Wings 4-3 at Little Caesars Arena on January 29, 2026.
Who was favored in Washington Capitals vs Detroit Red Wings?
Detroit Red Wings were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -130 (about 57% implied). The underdog won.
In a thrilling matchup at Little Caesars Arena, the Washington Capitals triumphed over the Detroit Red Wings with a final score of 4-3 after a shootout. This victory adds to the Capitals' competitive edge in their ongoing series against the Red Wings, now leading the season series 2-1. The game showcased a dramatic back-and-forth battle, culminating in a shootout that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
The Red Wings entered the game with a home record of 32-17-6, showing strong performance at home with a recent record of 7-3 in their last ten games. However, they were coming off a loss to the Los Angeles Kings just two days prior, which snapped a brief winning streak. The Red Wings averaged 3.2 goals scored while allowing only 2.1 goals in their last ten games, indicating a solid offensive and defensive showing overall. Despite their strong home record, they faced challenges with injuries, missing key players such as Viktor Arvidsson, Mason Appleton, and Michael Rasmussen.
On the other hand, the Capitals had a tougher road, with an away record of 26-22-7 and a recent form of 3-7 in their last ten games. They were on a two-game losing streak before this match, averaging 2.8 goals scored and allowing 3.5 goals per game during that stretch. Their recent struggles included a heavy loss to the Seattle Kraken, where they fell 1-5. The Capitals also faced injury setbacks, with Jordan Kyrou, Rasmus Sandin, and Charlie Lindgren all sidelined for this contest.
The game itself was a showcase of resilience and skill. The Capitals took the lead in the third period with a goal from Declan Chisholm, assisted by Jakob Chychrun and Dylan Strome. The Red Wings responded with a goal from Alex DeBrincat, who scored twice in the third period, bringing the game to a tie. The back-and-forth continued until the end of regulation, forcing the game into a shootout.
During the shootout, Lucas Raymond scored for the Red Wings, but the Capitals responded with goals from Dylan Strome, Patrick Kane, Ryan Leonard, and Nic Dowd, ultimately sealing their victory. The Capitals' ability to perform under pressure in the shootout was a significant factor in their win.
The betting odds from DraftKings reflected the competitive nature of this matchup, with the Red Wings priced at -130 on the money line and the Capitals at +110. The spread was set at -1.5 for the Red Wings, with a total of 6.5 goals for the game, indicating expectations for a closely contested battle.
Weather conditions were not a factor, as the game took place indoors, allowing both teams to focus solely on their performance without external influences.
Fans watching this game were treated to a showcase of skill and determination, with key players stepping up in critical moments. The Capitals' victory not only boosted their standings but also highlighted their ability to overcome challenges, while the Red Wings will look to rebound from this narrow defeat in their upcoming games.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | DET -130 | 6.5 o -110 / u -110 | Washington Capitals +110 · Detroit Red Wings -130 |
Injury report
- Viktor ArvidssonOutRibsDetroit Red Wings
- Mason AppletonOutUpper BodyDetroit Red Wings
- Michael RasmussenOutLower BodyDetroit Red Wings
- Jordan KyrouOutKneeWashington Capitals
- Rasmus SandinOutKneeWashington Capitals
- Charlie LindgrenOutUpper BodyWashington Capitals
Leaders
- GoalsAlex DeBrincat2Detroit Red Wings
- AssistsAlex DeBrincat1Detroit Red Wings
- PointsAlex DeBrincat3Detroit Red Wings
- GoalsDylan Strome1Washington Capitals
- AssistsJakob Chychrun3Washington Capitals
- PointsJakob Chychrun3Washington Capitals
Recent form
Detroit Red Wings
Last 10: 7-3Streak L13.2 scored · 2.1 allowed per game4-1 at home
- L1-3vs Los Angeles KingsJan 28
- W5-1at Winnipeg JetsJan 25
- L3-4at Minnesota WildJan 23
- W2-1at Toronto Maple LeafsJan 22
- W4-3vs Ottawa SenatorsJan 18
- W4-2vs San Jose SharksJan 17
- L0-3at Boston BruinsJan 14
- W4-3vs Carolina HurricanesJan 13
- W4-0at Montreal CanadiensJan 11
- W5-1vs Vancouver CanucksJan 9
Washington Capitals
Last 10: 3-7Streak L22.8 scored · 3.5 allowed per game2-5 away
- L1-5at Seattle KrakenJan 28
- L5-6at Edmonton OilersJan 25
- W3-1at Calgary FlamesJan 24
- L3-4at Vancouver CanucksJan 22
- L2-5at Colorado AvalancheJan 19
- L2-5vs Florida PanthersJan 18
- L2-3vs San Jose SharksJan 16
- W3-2vs Montreal CanadiensJan 14
- L2-3at Nashville PredatorsJan 12
- W5-1at Chicago BlackhawksJan 10
Standings
| Team | Ot losses | Lost | Points | Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carolina | 7 | 22 | 113 | 53 |
| Pittsburgh | 16 | 25 | 98 | 41 |
| Philadelphia | 12 | 27 | 98 | 43 |
| Washington | 9 | 30 | 95 | 43 |
| Columbus | 12 | 30 | 92 | 40 |
| NY Islanders | 5 | 34 | 91 | 43 |
| New Jersey | 3 | 37 | 87 | 42 |
| NY Rangers | 9 | 39 | 77 | 34 |
| Buffalo | 9 | 23 | 109 | 50 |
| Tampa Bay | 6 | 26 | 106 | 50 |
| Montreal | 10 | 24 | 106 | 48 |
| Boston | 10 | 27 | 100 | 45 |
| Ottawa | 11 | 27 | 99 | 44 |
| Detroit | 10 | 31 | 92 | 41 |
| Florida | 4 | 38 | 84 | 40 |
| Toronto | 14 | 36 | 78 | 32 |
Box score
| Stat | Washington Capitals | Detroit Red Wings |
|---|---|---|
| Blocked shots | 21 | 17 |
| Hits | 26 | 13 |
| Takeaways | 4 | 3 |
| Shots total | 23 | 21 |
| Power play goals | 0 | 0 |
| Power play opportunities | 2 | 4 |
| Power play pct | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Short handed goals | 0 | 0 |
| Shootout goals | 0 | 0 |
| Faceoffs won | 27 | 23 |
| Faceoff percent | 54.0 | 46.0 |
| Giveaways | 6 | 14 |
| Penalties | 4 | 2 |
| Penalty minutes | 8 | 4 |
How the scoring went
- 1st1-0Nic Dowd Goal (3) Snap Shot, assists: Connor McMichael (23), Jakob Chychrun (21)
- 2nd1-1Ben Chiarot Goal (5) Slap Shot, assists: Alex DeBrincat (27), Patrick Kane (24)
- 3rd2-1Dylan Strome Goal (15) Wrap-around, assists: Alex Ovechkin (24), Jakob Chychrun (22)
- 3rd3-1Declan Chisholm Goal (1) Deflected, assists: Jakob Chychrun (23), Dylan Strome (29)
- 3rd3-2Alex DeBrincat Goal (29) Wrist Shot, assists: Dylan Larkin (23), Andrew Copp (25)
- 3rd3-3Alex DeBrincat Goal (30) Wrist Shot, assists: Moritz Seider (30)
- SO3-2Lucas Raymond Goal Snap Shot
- SO3-2Dylan Strome Goal Backhand
- SO3-2Patrick Kane Goal Snap Shot
- SO3-2Ryan Leonard Goal Wrist Shot
- SO3-2Nic Dowd Goal Backhand
Venue
- Little Caesars ArenaDetroit, MI
- Attendance19515
- OfficialsDan Kelly, Wes McCauley, Shandor Alphonso, Brandon Schrader
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