Washington Capitals vs Detroit Red Wings Prediction, 12/21/2025 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Washington Capitals vs Detroit Red Wings

Date: Sunday, December 21, 2025

Location: Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, MI

TV: Fanduel Sports Network

Odds/Point Spread: Capitals (-275) Red Wings (+220)

The Washington Capitals (19-11-4) are hitting the road to Little Caesars Arena on Sunday where they will go up against the Detroit Red Wings (19-13-3). The line on this matchup has the Capitals at -275 while the Red Wings are coming in at +220. The over/under has been set at 6.5.

The Washington Capitals came out of this game feeling pretty good about themselves with a 4-0 victory over the Maple Leafs in the last game they played. Washington amassed 10 penalty mins in this matchup. The Capitals had a solid offensive output and it showed in this win. They also had 3 chances with extra men on the ice but weren't able to make the most of them. For the outing, they converted 4 out of the 29 shots they attempted.

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When at even strength, the Capitals have surrendered 59 goals while earning 95 on the offensive side of the ice. Washington Capitals opponents have 107 power play tries (14th in pro hockey) and have a total of 25 goals in those attempts. When discussing their scoring, the Washington Capitals have notched 110 goals (7th in the National Hockey League) this year and have given up 84. Washington has attempted 992 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 11.1%. For the current campaign, they have earned 42 points and their points percentage sits at .618. The Capitals so far have had 925 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .909. Washington steps onto the ice with 99 power play chances and they have scored 15 goals out of those attempts, garnering them a rate of 15.15%.

The player protecting the goal in this game is Charlie Lindgren. The opposition has been able to score 427 goals against Lindgren in his professional career and his goals against average is 2.85. Lindgren has taken the ice for 160 games during his NHL career. He has a save percentage of .904 for his 7,924 mins guarding the cage. He has accumulated a mark of 78-57-16 and was named the starter in 150 games. In his career, Lindgren has 80 quality starts and his quality starts rate is .533. Lindgren has seen 4,451 shots against him and has recorded 4,024 total saves.

In their last contest, Detroit squared up with the Mammoth in a matchup where the Red Wings took the defeat by a final score of 4-1. They had 4 power play chances in this outing and converted 1 out of those chances. The Red Wings had 1 goal of the 28 shots on goal they tried.

The Red Wings have earned 80 goals at even strength and 26 goals (6th in pro hockey) while on the power play. Detroit has tried 1,029 shots (5th in the NHL) and has accumulated a shot percentage of 10.30%, while allowing their opponents 959 shots. So far this year, the Detroit Red Wings have accumulated 106 goals, 41 points, as well as a points percentage of .586. They have permitted 113 goals to be scored by way of 95 goals at even strength and 18 goals while they were shorthanded. They have recorded 109 power play chances and they have earned a power play rate of 23.85%. They have recorded a penalty kill percentage of 80.85% on the other teams 94 power play opportunities, and their save percentage currently sits at 88.2%.

Across the ice you are going to see Cam Talbot defending the net. Talbot is sitting with a lifetime record of 275-201-49 and has been in goal for 551 games. Talbot's quality start rate comes in at 55.0% and he has made 288 quality starting assignments in his NHL career. He has gathered 14,435 saves out of 15,836 shots taken against him, which gives him a percentage of .912. Teams are averaging 2.67 goals per game and he has relinquished 1,401 goals altogether. He got the starting nod in 524 games and has racked up 28,291 mins.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Tony's Pick: Take Washington (-275)

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