NHL Predictions: January 21st, Washington Capitals at Vancouver Canucks

Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, our writers here at Last Word On Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we will look at the Vancouver Canucks taking on the Washington Capitals. Don’t forget to check out more NHL Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2025-26 season.

NHL Predictions: Washington Capitals at Vancouver Canucks

2025-2026 Season Series: Vancouver 1-0 Washington

Time: 10:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), 7:00 p.m. Pacific

How to Watch: Sportsnet+, SN, MNMT, ESPN+, NHL Centre Ice

Location: Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Vancouver continues their eight-game homestand against a Washington team desperately chasing a playoff spot. The Canucks set a franchise record for longest losing streak last game, and currently sit at 11-consecutive losses. Washington sits at 24-20-6 after 50 games, with 54 points, while Vancouver sits at 16-28-5 after 49 games, with 37 points. This is the second and final meeting between these two teams. The Canucks won the previous game, 4-3, on October 19th.

The Capitals Story

The Capitals could not be faltering at a worse time. They have lost four of their last five games, during their chase of a Stanley Cup Playoff spot. However, they remain only three points back of Buffalo for the second Wild Card spot. Washington also sits three points back of Pittsburgh for third in the Metropolitan Division. It is simply a matter of finding a consistent game. Their special teams may be their biggest pain point, as they rank 28th on the power play at 16.0%, and 22nd on the penalty kill at 77.6%. Other than that, analytically, they have been fine, but it just takes more than “fine” to be a playoff team. Ah, just ask the Ottawa Senators.

The Canucks Story

11-straight losses are where the Canucks are sitting at. They had a strong effort against the New York Islanders on Monday, but a loss is still a loss. The effort has been present in most games, but they just do not have the firepower to get the results.

Head coach Adam Foote did not hold back on his team in his post-game interview last game. “Our veterans are the ones that feel defeated first,” he said. “It’s been going on here for a few years. You know, we get off our game, we get frustrated and we overcomplicate it and, you know, slamming the gate and things like that. It’s something we’ve got to get out of our culture, where our culture is not going to be that anymore.”

Clearly, Foote needed to comment on the mindset and attitude of the team during a skid like this one. It brings into question whether or not the veterans on the Canucks are right ones to lead this team through a rebuild. You can only hope it gives the team a jolt, just anything to push the team to win a game.