The Washington Capitals travel to face the New Jersey Devils on April 2, 2026, in an important late-season Eastern Conference matchup at Prudential Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 PM ET and fans can watch the game live on ESPN+ and Hulu. This game features two teams in different situations as the regular season nears its end. Washington are still fighting for a playoff position while New Jersey are close to being eliminated from postseason contention. That difference in motivation could play a major role in the pace and intensity of the game.
The Capitals enter this matchup with momentum after several strong performances in recent games. Washington have won multiple games recently and their offense has been productive, scoring consistently and creating scoring chances across all four lines. Veteran star Alex Ovechkin continues to lead the team and recently reached another milestone by hitting the 30-goal mark again. Even at 40 years old, Ovechkin remains one of the most dangerous shooters in the league and his leadership has helped keep Washington competitive in the playoff race.
New Jersey’s situation is very different. The Devils are coming off a tough loss against the New York Rangers and their playoff hopes are fading quickly. While the team has had some strong moments since the Olympic break, they have struggled to compete against stronger opponents. New Jersey still has talented players capable of producing offense, but inconsistency and defensive mistakes have limited their ability to climb the standings.
Despite the Devils’ difficult season, this matchup still carries intrigue. Rivalry games between these teams are often competitive and high energy. Washington will likely bring strong motivation because every point matters in the playoff race. Meanwhile New Jersey will look to play spoiler and finish the season on a positive note in front of their home fans.
Match Details
| Match | Washington Capitals vs New Jersey Devils |
|---|---|
| Date | April 2, 2026 |
| Time | 7:30 PM ET |
| Venue | Prudential Center |
| Location | Newark, New Jersey |
| Broadcast | Hulu, ESPN+, Devils Radio Network |
Eastern Conference Standings Snapshot
| Team | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Red Wings | 10th | 86 |
| Philadelphia Flyers | 11th | 86 |
| Washington Capitals | 12th | 85 |
| New Jersey Devils | 13th | 78 |
Washington remain close to the playoff line while New Jersey are several points behind the wild card race.
Betting Odds
| Market | Odds |
|---|---|
| Moneyline | Capitals slight favorite |
| Spread | Capitals +1.5 |
| Total | 6 to 6.5 Goals |
The betting market slightly favors Washington due to their recent form and playoff motivation.
Recent Form
Washington Capitals – Last 5 Games
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 1 | Flyers | Win 6-4 |
| Mar 29 | Golden Knights | Win 5-4 |
| Mar 27 | Mammoth | Win 7-4 |
| Mar 25 | Blues | Loss 0-3 |
| Mar 22 | Avalanche | Loss 2-3 |
Washington have won three straight games and their offense has produced several high-scoring performances.
New Jersey Devils – Last 5 Games
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 1 | Rangers | Loss 1-4 |
| Mar 30 | Blackhawks | Win 5-3 |
| Mar 29 | Hurricanes | Loss 2-5 |
| Mar 27 | Predators | Win 4-2 |
| Mar 25 | Stars | Win 6-4 |
The Devils have shown mixed results recently with wins against weaker teams but struggles against stronger opponents.
Head-to-Head Record
| Date | Result |
|---|---|
| Mar 21, 2026 | Capitals 2 – Devils 1 |
| Dec 28, 2025 | Capitals 4 – Devils 3 |
| Nov 16, 2025 | Devils 3 – Capitals 2 |
| Sep 29, 2025 | Capitals 3 – Devils 2 |
Recent meetings between these teams have been close and competitive.
Projected Lineups
Washington Capitals
| Line | Players |
|---|---|
| 1 | Alex Ovechkin – Dylan Strome – Anthony Beauvillier |
| 2 | Aliaksai Protas – Pierre-Luc Dubois – Tom Wilson |
| 3 | Connor McMichael – Ryan Leonard – Justin Sourdif |
| 4 | Brandon Duhaime – Hendrix Lapierre – Ivan Miroshnichenko |
Defense Pairings
| Defense |
|---|
| Martin Fehervary – Rasmus Sandin |
| Jakob Chychrun – Trevor van Riemsdyk |
| Matt Roy – Cole Hutson |
Goalies
| Goaltenders |
|---|
| Logan Thompson |
| Charlie Lindgren |
New Jersey Devils
| Line | Players |
|---|---|
| 1 | Jack Hughes – Jesper Bratt – Timo Meier |
| 2 | Nico Hischier – Tyler Toffoli – Dawson Mercer |
| 3 | Ondrej Palat – Erik Haula – Alexander Holtz |
| 4 | Curtis Lazar – Nathan Bastian – Tomas Nosek |
Defense Pairings
| Defense |
|---|
| Dougie Hamilton – Jonas Siegenthaler |
| John Marino – Luke Hughes |
| Kevin Bahl – Simon Nemec |
Goalies
| Goaltenders |
|---|
| Jacob Markstrom |
| Nico Daws |
Injury Report
New Jersey Devils
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Arseny Gritsyuk | Week-to-week |
Washington Capitals
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Aliaksai Protas | Day-to-day |
Injuries are limited for both teams which means most core players should be available.
Key Stats Comparison
| Category | Devils | Capitals |
|---|---|---|
| Goals Scored | 2.72 | 3.15 |
| Goals Allowed | 3.07 | 2.89 |
| Shots Per Game | 29.8 | 28.1 |
| Power Play | 22.5% | 17.8% |
| Penalty Kill | 79.2% | 80.0% |
Washington hold the advantage in scoring while New Jersey generate slightly more shots.
Players to Watch
Washington Capitals
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Alex Ovechkin | Team captain and top scorer |
| Dylan Strome | Offensive playmaker |
| Tom Wilson | Physical forward and secondary scorer |
New Jersey Devils
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Jack Hughes | Elite playmaking center |
| Jesper Bratt | Skilled winger |
| Nico Hischier | Two-way captain |
These players are the offensive engines for their teams and could influence the outcome.
Player Props
| Player | Prop Pick |
|---|---|
| Alex Ovechkin | Anytime Goal |
| Jack Hughes | Over 0.5 Points |
| Jesper Bratt | Over Shots |
These players are often involved in scoring chances and power-play opportunities.
Best Picks
| Bet Type | Pick |
|---|---|
| Moneyline | Capitals |
| Total | Under 6.5 |
| Spread | Capitals +1.5 |
Washington’s stronger defense and motivation in the playoff race give them a slight edge.
How to Watch Capitals vs Devils
Fans can watch the game live on ESPN+ and Hulu. The matchup will take place at Prudential Center in Newark with puck drop scheduled for 7:30 PM ET.
Final Prediction
Washington enter this game with momentum and playoff urgency while New Jersey have struggled to stay consistent against stronger teams. The Devils will likely push the pace at home, but the Capitals’ experienced core and strong goaltending could be the difference.
Predicted Score:
Capitals 4 – Devils 3
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