Honestly, if you haven't been watching the Washington Capitals vs Devils games this year, you’re basically missing out on the best soap opera in the Metropolitan Division. Forget the standings for a second. When these two teams meet, the logic of "who's better on paper" usually flies right out the window of the Prudential Center.
It’s been a season of weird bounces, disallowed goals, and a chase for history that has every hockey fan in D.C. biting their nails.
We’re deep into the 2025-26 season now, and the narrative has shifted from "can the Capitals stay relevant?" to "how many heart attacks can one fanbase take?" The Devils, meanwhile, are trying to prove they aren't just a collection of flashy young talent, but a team that can actually close out a game without making Sheldon Keefe lose his mind on the bench.
The Overtime Thriller That Changed Everything
Let’s talk about that December 27th game. If you missed it, I’m sorry, because it was peak chaos. The Capitals walked into Newark on a three-game skid, looking a little sluggish, and somehow walked out with a 4-3 overtime win.
It wasn't pretty. Spencer Carbery even said it himself.
The turning point was arguably a play that didn't even count. Dylan Strome thought he had the Caps up early, but the Devils' bench—sharp as ever—challenged for offsides. The goal was wiped. Usually, that kind of thing deflates a team. Instead, Aliaksei Protas decided to play like a man possessed, tallying three points and scoring with literally 0.4 seconds left in the first period.
Talk about a buzzer-beater.
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New Jersey fought back, though. Jesper Bratt is having a year that deserves way more national attention. He potted two goals, and for a minute there in the third, after Cody Glass gave the Devils a 3-2 lead, it looked like Washington was cooked. But then, the guy everyone came to see did exactly what he does.
Alex Ovechkin and the Chase That Won’t Quit
Every time the Washington Capitals vs Devils matchup pops up on the calendar, there is only one number people care about: the goal record.
At 40 years old, Ovechkin is still out here defying physics. In their November meeting, he notched his 902nd career goal to force a shootout. Then, in the December rematch, he snapped a frustrating nine-game goal drought by lifting a wrist shot over a sprawling Jake Allen.
Currently, Ovi is sitting at 916 career goals. He's passed the 900 mark, he’s hunting down Gretzky’s 894 (which is already in the rearview), and he’s making the "Great Eight" moniker look like an understatement. What’s wild is that he isn't just cherry-picking. In the games against New Jersey this season, he’s been a physical force, racking up hits and playing heavy minutes when the Caps are trailing.
People love to say he's slowed down. Maybe he has. But a "slow" Ovechkin is still the most dangerous person on the ice when a game is on the line.
Why the Devils Are Scarier Than the Standings Suggest
If you just look at the raw numbers, the Devils have been a bit of a roller coaster. They’ve got a record hovering around .500 (22-20-2 as of mid-January), but they play a style that is pure stress for opposing defensemen.
Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier are a nightmare duo. Even when the Devils lose, they usually dominate the expected goals (xG) battle. Against Washington, they’ve shown they can exploit the Capitals' older defensive core with pure speed.
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- Jesper Bratt: Just passed Scott Niedermayer for 6th all-time in franchise points. He is the engine of this offense.
- The Power Play: It’s been lethal. Bratt and Hischier move the puck with a telepathic connection that makes penalty killers look like they’re skating in sand.
- Jake Allen: He’s been the stabilizing force in net. While Jacob Markstrom has had some shaky outings, Allen has kept them in games they had no business being in.
The real issue for Jersey? Managing leads. They’ve given up too many "freebies" lately. Sheldon Keefe has been vocal about the team being "too casual" in their own zone, and it cost them that extra point in the OT loss to Washington.
Roster Drama and the Injury Bug
You can't talk about these two teams without mentioning the hospital wing both are currently operating.
Washington is hurting. Tom Wilson and Aliaksei Protas both landed on IR recently with lower-body injuries. That is a massive blow to the Caps' identity. Wilson is the emotional heartbeat of that team, and Protas was finally having his breakout season. To fill the gap, they’ve been calling up guys like Brandon Leason from Hershey, but you can’t replace that veteran grit overnight.
The Devils aren't exactly healthy either. Missing Simon Nemec on the backend has forced guys like Luke Hughes and Brett Pesce to eat up massive minutes. It’s a young D-corps, and sometimes it shows, especially when they’re trying to clear the porch against a heavy team like Washington.
The Strategy: How These Games Are Won
When these two meet, it’s a clash of philosophies.
Washington wants to keep things "heavy." They want to win board battles, use their size, and set up the power play for Ovi or John Carlson. If the game stays slow and physical, Washington wins.
New Jersey wants a track meet. They want Jack Hughes flying through the neutral zone and creating odd-man rushes. If the Devils can turn the game into a 5-4 shootout, the Capitals usually can't keep up with the pace.
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Key Matchup to Watch: Keep an eye on the Jakob Chychrun vs. Nico Hischier battle. Chychrun has been a revelation for the Caps, leading their defense in goals and playing over 23 minutes a night. Hischier is one of the best two-way centers in the league. Whoever wins that "best-on-best" matchup usually dictates the flow of the game.
What to Expect Next
The season series isn't over. We’ve still got two more matchups on the books for March 20th and April 2nd. These games are likely going to have massive playoff implications for the Metropolitan Division wildcard spots.
If you’re betting on these games or just trying to win your fantasy league, look at the goaltending split. Logan Thompson has been the more consistent hand for Washington, but Charlie Lindgren is always capable of a "brick wall" performance. For the Devils, keep an eye on whether they start Markstrom or Allen; the defensive chemistry seems to shift depending on who is between the pipes.
Actionable Takeaways for the Next Game:
- Watch the First 5 Minutes: The Devils tend to start fast at home. If Washington survives the initial surge without giving up a goal, their veteran composure usually takes over.
- Monitor the Injury Report: Specifically Protas and Wilson. If they aren't back by the March matchup, the Capitals' secondary scoring is going to be a major question mark.
- The "Ovi Factor": Don't bet against him in Newark. He seems to love the atmosphere there, and he’s historically productive against the Devils' defensive schemes.
- Live Betting Tip: If the Devils are up by one late in the third, don't count the Caps out. Washington leads the league in game-tying goals this season, mostly thanks to the captain.
The rivalry is alive and well, and honestly, it’s some of the most entertaining hockey you’ll find in the Eastern Conference right now. Keep your eyes on the schedule—things are only going to get more intense as we hit the spring.
Track the upcoming line movements and roster activations through the official NHL transaction logs to see if the Capitals get their top-six forwards back before the next puck drop. Be sure to check the starting goalie confirmations about 30 minutes before game time, as that has been the deciding factor in every game between these two this year.