Dallas Stars vs Washington Capitals Prediction, Preview and Odds - 01/07/2026

Game Time: 7:00 pm ET, Wednesday, January 7, 2026

Venue:  Capital One Arena, Washington, DC

Where to Watch:  TNT, HBO Max

DraftKings:  Moneyline:  Stars +124, Capitals -148; Over/Under:  5.5 goals

Bet365:  Moneyline:  Stars +125, Capitals -150; Over/Under:  5.5 goals

BetMGM:  Moneyline:  Stars +125, Capitals -150; Over/Under:  5.5 goals

Dallas Stars:  25-9-8 (2nd place, Central Division)

Washington Capitals:  22-15-6 (3rd place, Metropolitan Division)

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Dallas Stars:  4-3-3 last 10

Washington Capitals:  4-4-2 last 10

The Stars are entering this game with 58 points, a 25-9-8 record overall, and they are 13-3-5 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a loss against the Montreal Canadiens in their last game, losing that one at home 4-3 in overtime, but this is also the 2nd game of a back-to-back for them with their game against the Carolina Hurricanes still to be played on Tuesday night. In their game against the Canadiens, Wyatt Johnston led the teams in goals scored with 2 while Mavrik Bourque scored 1 goal for them in that one. Jason Robertson, Matt Duchene, Mikko Rantanen, Miro Heiskanen, Roope Hintz, and Thomas Harley each led the team in assists with 1 while Mavrik Bourque and Miro Heiskanen each led the team in shots on net in that game with 5. Jake Oettinger was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 4 goals on 29 shots with 25 saves and a .862 save percentage. Their offense has scored 146 goals this season averaging 3.5 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 117 goals against them allowing 2.8 goals per game.

The Capitals are entering this game with 50 points, a 22-15-6 record overall, and they are 13-7-3 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Anaheim Ducks in their last game, winning that one at home 7-4. Justin Sourdif led the team in goals scored with 3 as he recorded the hattrick, Alexander Ovechkin scored 2 goals, while John Carlson and Ryan Leonard each scored 1 goal for them in that one. Connor McMichael led the team in assists with 4 while Alexander Ovechkin led the team in shots on net in that game with 4. Charlie Lindgren was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 4 goals on 45 shots with 41 saves and a .911 sv percentage. Their offense has scored 142 goals this season averaging 3.3 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 125 goals against them allowing 2.9 goals per game.

The current betting odds have the Capitals listed as a favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Capitals have looked good in their games this season with their 22-15-6 record overall which has them right near the top of their division in the East. They have looked good on home ice too with their 13-7-3 home record this year. Meanwhile, the Stars have looked great in their games this season with their 25-9-8 record overall which has them right near the top of their division in the West with one of the best records in the entire NHL. They have been a great road team too with their 13-3-5 road record this season. The Stars haven't looked great lately though. They are 4-3-3 in their last 10 games and they have been in a big slump lately with 5 losses in a row now. They are also in a terrible situation here since they are playing this game on a back-to-back and have a tough game against the Hurricanes the night before. The Capitals haven't looked any better lately as they are 4-4-2 in their last 10 games, but they are off a 7-4 win over the Ducks in their last one and their offense found a spark again. They also have a solid defense and they are going to be able to take advantage of this tired Stars team on the road on a back-to-back. The best way to place a bet here is on the Capitals to win this game. 

Stars Capitals Prediction:  Our NHL Pick for Wednesday, January 7, 2026 (7:00 pm ET start time) is Capitals 4 Stars 3.

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Dallas Stars: 45-37 (-7.9 units) on the moneyline in non-conference games. 63-60 (-10.3 units) on the moneyline when playing against a team with a winning record. 76-65 (-5.8 units) on the moneyline against good passing teams - averaging 5 or more assists per game. 20-13 OVER on the road when playing against a marginal winning team (Win Pct. 51% to 60%). 

Washington Capitals: 118-103 (+11 units) on the moneyline in all games. 52-31 (+7.2 units) on the moneyline as a favorite of -200 or less. 62-45 (+23.4 units) on the moneyline revenging a loss versus opponent as a favorite. 33-23 OVER revenging a same season loss vs opponent.

Dallas Stars:  J. Benn (LW) Out - Upper-Body. L. Bichsel (D) Out - Lower-Body. T. Seguin (C) Out - ACL.

Washington Capitals:  T. Wilson (RW) Day To Day - Lower Body. A. Protas (C) Day To Day - Lower Body. P. Dubois (LW) Out - Abdomen.

“Probably the biggest thing for me is that second period. You take four penalties. First of all, you lose a lot of guys momentum-wise when you take four [penalties], and then you give them an opportunity. Obviously, they go up 3-2, and then it's a battle back, right in the third. So, we do have to clean that up.” - Glen Gulutzan after his team’s loss against the Canadiens in their game on Sunday.

“He’s earned the opportunity that he’s getting with how he’s played and how he’s performed. It wasn’t handed to him early in the season and sometimes circumstance provides opportunity for young players and it’s on them to take advantage of that, and that’s exactly what he’s done with it.” - Spencer Carbery after his team’s win against the Ducks in their game on Monday.

LW Matt Duchene

C Wyatt Johnston

RW Mikko Rantanen

LD Esa Lindell

RD Miro Heiskanen

G Jake Oettinger

LW Alex Ovechkin

C Dylan Strome

RW Anthony Beauvillier

LD Martin Fehervary

RD John Carlson

G Charlie Lindgren

Points: Mikko Rantanen (57)

Goals: Jason Robertson (24)

Assists: Mikko Rantanen (41)

GAA: Casey DeSmith (2.44)

Points: Tom Wilson (42)

Goals: Tom Wilson (22)

Assists: Dylan Strome (23)

GAA: Logan Thompson (2.37)

Coaches:

Dallas Stars: Glen Gulutzan (1st season)

Washington Capitals: Spencer Carbery (3rd season)