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Capitals vs. Blackhawks prediction: Why Washington is favored to win Friday's NHL matchup [1/9/2026]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Jason Bevilacqua, Head of Content and Communities
Get Washington Capitals vs Chicago Blackhawks predictions for NHL Friday.
The Chicago Blackhawks and Washington Capitals will lock horns in the NHL at United Center on Friday, with puck drop at 8:00 PM ET.
Based on updated simulation results, Dimers' advanced NHL model predicts the Capitals as the most likely winner of the Capitals vs. Blackhawks game.
This article offers a closer look at Friday's matchup, including projected goal scorers, best bets and player prop picks.
Caps vs. Hawks prediction: Who will win and cover?
Using trusted machine learning and data, we have simulated the result of Friday's NHL matchup between the Capitals and Blackhawks 10,000 times as part of our NHL predictions coverage.
Our independent predictive model gives the Capitals a 55% chance of defeating the Blackhawks.
According to our model, the Blackhawks (+1.5) have a 66% chance of covering the puck line, while the over/under total of 5.5 goals has a 58% chance of going over.
Capitals vs. Blackhawks odds
We have sourced the best NHL odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Capitals | Blackhawks |
|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | -1.5 (+190) | +1.5 (-215) |
| Moneyline | -130 | +114 |
| Total | o5.5 (-130) | u5.5 (+116) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Capitals vs. Blackhawks picks and best bet
After matching our predictions against the best current odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:
| Bet Type | Pick | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | Capitals -1.5 | +190 |
| Moneyline | Blackhawks | +114 |
| Total | Over 5.5 | -130 |
According to our NHL best bets, the top play to make on this game is Over 5.5 total goals.
Capitals vs. Blackhawks player props
Who will score a goal in Capitals vs. Blackhawks?
According to our model, Alex Ovechkin is most likely to score an anytime goal in Capitals vs. Blackhawks.
Our projections give Ovechkin a 37.5% chance of scoring a goal at United Center, while the star is a 7.1% chance of registering the first goal the game.
Anytime goal scorer predictions
Washington Capitals
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Alex Ovechkin | 37.5% |
| Dylan Strome | 30.9% |
| Aliaksei Protas | 30.7% |
| Connor McMichael | 27.1% |
| Ryan Leonard | 25.8% |
Chicago Blackhawks
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Connor Bedard | 34.9% |
| Tyler Bertuzzi | 30.9% |
| Ryan Donato | 24.9% |
| Ilya Mikheyev | 24.8% |
| Nick Lardis | 18.6% |
First goal scorer predictions
Washington Capitals
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Alex Ovechkin | 7.1% |
| Dylan Strome | 6.5% |
| Aliaksei Protas | 6.2% |
| Connor McMichael | 5.0% |
| Ryan Leonard | 4.7% |
Chicago Blackhawks
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Connor Bedard | 7.3% |
| Tyler Bertuzzi | 5.7% |
| Ilya Mikheyev | 4.5% |
| Ryan Donato | 4.2% |
| Teuvo Teravainen | 3.4% |
Caps vs. Hawks game-day updates and essential details
Friday's action between the Blackhawks and Capitals at United Center is scheduled to begin at 8:00 PM ET.
- Who: Washington Capitals vs. Chicago Blackhawks
- Date: Friday, January 9, 2026
- Time: 8:00 PM ET/5:00PM PT
- Venue: United Center
Conclusion
We predict the Capitals, with a 55% win probability, will likely beat the Blackhawks on Friday.
AI and automation have enhanced this article to quickly deliver accurate Capitals vs. Blackhawks insights, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are drawn from the latest data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice on responsible gambling, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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Jason Bevilacqua, an expert in MLB, NHL, NBA, MLS, and NFL, delivers game previews, best bets, and props. Since 2020, as Head of Social and Community at Dimers, he has contributed insightful articles utilizing data-driven models and simulations.
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