Washington Capitals vs Anaheim Ducks Prediction and Picks - December 5, 2025
Friday evening National Hockey League action, and we have a Washington Capitals vs Anaheim Ducks prediction ready to rock and roll. Washington comes in off a decisive 7-1 road win over San Jose to move to 17-11 on the year. The Ducks enter this game off a 7-0 home loss to Utah, and they are now at 16-11 on the year. The Capitals have won the last five games in this series. Read on to see our Capitals vs Ducks prediction.
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Caps Crush San Jose On The Road
The Capitals’ most recent game was a 7–1 rout of the Sharks on December 3, where Alex Ovechkin scored twice to push his career total to 911 goals, and rookie Ryan Leonard had a breakout four‑point night. Washington jumped all over San Jose with four goals in the first period, and Charlie Lindgren turned aside 23 shots to secure their sixth straight win.
Washington’s offense has been rolling, averaging 3.5 goals per game (2nd) while firing 29.6 shots per game (7th). Ovechkin has rediscovered his scoring touch with 10 goals in his last 11 games, while Leonard’s emergence adds another dangerous weapon to a lineup that already features Dylan Strome and Tom Wilson. The power play has been inconsistent at 17.3% (20th), but the sheer volume of chances they generate keeps opponents under pressure. Their faceoff numbers sit at 48.1% (21st), not elite, but they’ve compensated with strong puck possession and relentless forechecking.
Defensively, Washington has been one of the stingiest teams in the league, allowing just 2.5 goals per game (2nd) and limiting opponents to 25.7 shots per game (5th). The penalty kill has been shaky at 72.9% (29th), but their even‑strength play has more than made up for it. Lindgren and Logan Thompson have provided stability in net, and the Capitals’ ability to smother teams five‑on‑five has been the backbone of their surge. Riding a 9‑1‑0 stretch over their last 10, Washington enters Anaheim with confidence and momentum.
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Ducks Have Bad Home Loss To Utah
Anaheim’s last game was a 7–0 loss to the Utah Mammoth on December 3, where JJ Peterka had two goals and two assists for Utah, and Karel Vejmelka stopped all 27 shots he faced. The Ducks never found their footing, with Ville Husso pulled after allowing four goals through two periods, and rookie Beckett Sennecke’s point streak came to an end.
Despite that setback, Anaheim’s offense has been strong this season, averaging 3.6 goals per game (2nd) and firing 30.2 shots per game (5th). Leo Carlsson has been a steady producer with 14 goals, while Cutter Gauthier and Chris Kreider add scoring depth. Mason McTavish continues to be a reliable two‑way presence, and Sennecke has shown flashes of playmaking ability. Their power play sits at 19.3% (15th), middle of the pack, but capable of striking when given opportunities. Faceoffs remain a weakness at 46.2% (29th), often forcing them to chase possession early in shifts.
Defensively, Anaheim has been less reliable, allowing 3.2 goals per game (21st) and giving up 29.2 shots per game (23rd). Their penalty kill has struggled at 75.6% (27th), and discipline has been an issue with 265 penalty minutes (10th). Husso has been inconsistent in net, and the Ducks have alternated wins and losses over their past eight games. Against Washington’s surging attack, Anaheim will need Carlsson and Gauthier to spark the offense early while tightening up defensively to avoid another lopsided result.
Washington Capitals vs Anaheim Ducks Pick
Capitals vs Ducks Moneyline Pick
- Washington -136 (5 Units)
Washington -136 looks like the right side because the Capitals are rolling right now, fresh off that 7–1 rout of San Jose where Alex Ovechkin scored twice and Ryan Leonard had a breakout four‑point night. Their offense has been humming at 3.5 goals per game (2nd), and even when the power play has been inconsistent, they’ve generated enough chances at even strength to overwhelm opponents. More importantly, their defense has been one of the stingiest in the league, allowing just 2.5 goals per game (2nd) and limiting opponents to 25.7 shots per game (5th). With Charlie Lindgren and Logan Thompson providing stability in net, Washington has the balance and momentum to keep pushing forward.
Anaheim, meanwhile, is coming off a 7–0 loss to Utah, a game where they looked completely out of sync and Ville Husso was pulled after two periods. The Ducks have offensive talent, averaging 3.6 goals per game (2nd), but their defense has been shaky, giving up 3.2 goals per game (21st) and struggling on the penalty kill at 75.6% (27th). Washington’s ability to control possession and punish mistakes makes them a tough matchup for Anaheim, especially with the Ducks’ inconsistency in net. Given the Caps’ current form and defensive edge, laying -136 feels like the sharper play as they’re better equipped to dictate tempo and exploit Anaheim’s lapses.
Capitals vs Ducks Over/Under Pick
- Over 6.5 (5 Units)
The Over 6.5 looks like a strong angle because both Washington and Anaheim bring top‑tier offensive numbers and have shown they can explode in the right matchup. The Capitals just hammered San Jose 7–1, riding Alex Ovechkin’s resurgence and Ryan Leonard’s breakout, and they average 3.5 goals per game (2nd) while firing nearly 30 shots a night. Anaheim, despite being shut out in their last outing, still ranks 2nd in scoring at 3.6 goals per game and generates 30.2 shots per game (5th), with Carlsson, Gauthier, and McTavish capable of sparking quick offense. Both teams have shaky penalty kills — Washington at 72.9% (29th) and Anaheim at 75.6% (27th) — which opens the door for special‑teams scoring. With firepower on both sides and defensive lapses likely, this matchup has all the ingredients to clear the 6.5 total.
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