Today, the Washington Capitals host the New Jersey Devils in an early afternoon matinee at Capital One Arena. Both Metropolitan Division rivals enter the matchup with identical 4-3-0 records, looking to build early-season momentum.
The Capitals are fresh off a thrilling 5-4 victory over the Montreal Canadiens to open their five-game homestand, while the Devils are flying high following a dominant 7-1 blowout against the New York Rangers.
Expect plenty of Devils fans in attendance for this one, and there are plenty of fans of Jack Hughes the kid with the Golden Goal in the Olympics as he is the star of this Devils team.
Broadcast & Radio Information
- Puck Drop: 1:00 PM EDT
- Location: Capital One Arena — Washington, D.C.
- Local TV (D.C. Market): Monumental Sports Network (MNMT)
- Local TV (New York/New Jersey Market): MSGSN
- National TV: NHL Network
- Live Streams: Monumental+ via DAZN (D.C. area), MSG+ via DAZN (New York area), and Fubo (National).
- Capitals Radio: 106.7 The Fan & the Capitals Radio Network
- Devils Radio: WFAN 660 AM / 101.9 FM & the Devils Hockey Network
Key Matchups to Watch
1. Alex Tuch vs. Jack Hughes (The Star Power)
With standard offensive weapons adjusting early in the season, Alex Tuch has emerged as the hot hand for Washington, pacing the team with 5 goals and 6 points. He scored two goals, including the eventual game-winner, against Montreal. Neutralizing New Jersey’s superstar playmaker Jack Hughes will fall heavily on Washington’s defensive shifts. Hughes already has 9 points (7 assists) and recently scored an overtime winner against Detroit, proving he can break open a game at any moment. 2. Shorthanded Capitals Blue Line vs. Exploding Devils Offense
Washington’s blue-line depth is facing an early-season trial. With Rasmus Sandin out long-term following knee surgery, guys like Justin Holl—who scored a critical goal on Wednesday—must step up into heavier minutes. They face a massive test against a New Jersey team that just hung 7 goals on the Rangers and averages over 35 shots per game. Containing Nico Hischier, who leads New Jersey with 4 goals (3 on the power play), will require disciplined positioning from the Caps.
3. Weathering the Storm in Net
The Devils have showcased a high-octane offense but remain defensively vulnerable, having scored 23 goals and surrendered exactly 23 goals through seven games. For the Capitals, capitalizing on this volatile New Jersey defense while navigating their own illness issues—such as Pierre-Luc Dubois sitting day-to-day—will require stellar goaltending and opportunistic transition play. If Washington can slow down the speed of the Devils’ top-six forward lines in the neutral zone, they stand a great chance at taking two points from a divisional foe.
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