NHL Predictions: November 6th Washington Capitals at Pittsburgh Penguins

The Penguins return home to face the Capitals in a rivalry game. Welcome back to NHL Predictions here on Last Word on Hockey! Each day, we provide in-depth analysis, insights, and predictions for all the NHL’s games. In tonight’s matchup, the Pittsburgh Penguins look to bounce back from a couple of losses against their rivals in the Washington Capitals.

NHL Predictions

Washington Capitals vs Pittsburgh Penguins

Head-to-Head: Capitals 0-0 Penguins

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

How to Watch TV: SportsNet Pittsburgh; HULU; Sportsnet; ESPN+

Sidney Crosby and the Penguins take on Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals in a rivalry game. Last evening, Ovechkin completed another amazing feat, reaching a mark no other man has ever reached. He notched his 900th-career NHL regular season goal. He will look to ride the wave after a 6 – 1 thumping of the Blues in that contest.

The Penguins Story

An amazing start to the season has been thrown in jeopardy over the last couple of games. The Penguins enter this game following a 4-3 loss due to a blown 3-0 lead against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Now 8-4-2, the Penguins still have a respectable record, but bad habits seem to be coming back to the surface for this Penguins team. Defensive collapses, odd-man rushes, and a reliance on goaltenders like Tristan Jarry and Arturs Silovs – both of whom aren’t as skilled as the quality of chances they’re facing– point to a worrying trend that could end up bringing the Penguins back down below the playoff line. Even more worryingly, the Penguins have sustained key injuries to players such as Rickard Rakell or the aforementioned Jarry.

Even in the loss against Toronto, rookie Ben Kindel continues to make his name in the NHL, just months after being selected 11^th overall in the NHL Entry Draft. The 18-year-old forward scored two goals against Toronto. In 12 NHL games, Kindel has scored five goals. Defenceman Erik Karlsson has been another fantastic story this season. The Swedish star scored a beautiful goal against Toronto, and has 11 points through 14 games to start the year. Arturs Silovs is the likely starter in this game. Silovs is 3-2-2 with a .913 save percentage through seven starts this season. He’s shown tremendous ability at the NHL level, although he’s struggled through two shootouts and a penalty shot, allowing six goals through seven one-on-one chances. If this game gets to extra time, look for the Penguins to avoid letting it get to the shootout.

The Capitals Story

The reigning Metropolitan Division-winning Washington Capitals have seen a slow start to their 2025-26 season. They come into this game against Pittsburgh on the second half of a back-to-back, having beaten the St. Louis Blues last night. They demolished to the Blues 6-1 on home-ice in Washington. Through 13 games, the Capitals are 7-5-1, sitting just inside a very tight playoff race to start the year. Like Pittsburgh, Washington has shown a worrying ability to blow a lead, a kink in their game they’ll have to work through as well. Age has seemingly caught up to the great Alexander Ovechkin. The NHL’s all-time leader in goals has mustered just eight points, and only three goals, through 13 games to start the year. The captain has seen mainly offensive zone starts, with little to no time spent in the defensive zone.

In his stead, forward Tom Wilson has elevated his game to the next level. The star power forward has began this season with eight goals and 15 points through 13 games to lead the Capitals in scoring. Behind him, centre Dylan Strome has three goals and 11 points through 12 games. In net, Logan Thompson has started the year incredibly. He boasts a record of 6-3 with an incredible .938 save percentage and 1.45 goals-against average. However, as the Capitals are on the second half of a back-to-back, expect backup Charlie Lindgren to get the start. Lindgren has started this season slow, with a record 1-2-1 behind an .880 save percentage and 3.46 goals-against average.

NHL Prediction

Both the Penguins and the Capitals need a get-right game following disappointing losses with blown leads. However, with the Penguins returning home and likely wanting to prove they’re better than their last two games. In contrast, sustaining this level of pressure and play is an issue, and the Capitals are a team that will make you pay when you let up. Combined with stellar goaltending from Logan Thompson, and it seems more likely that the Capitals will win this game.

NHL Prediction: Capitals win 5-3

Prop Bet for the Night

The floodgates have opened on scoring for the Penguins and the Capitals. Expecting another high-scoring game, a popular prop bet for goals over-7 with odds of +186.

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