The Vancouver Canucks have been sneaky good on the road all season, and they'll look to spring an upset on the division-leading Washington Capitals tonight.
Vancouver defenseman Quinn Hughes returned from a four-game absence Monday, and he headlines my top Canucks vs. Capitals predictions.
Read more in my NHL picks for Wednesday, January 8.
Canucks vs Capitals prediction
My Canucks pick
Quinn Hughes Over 2.5 shots (-104 at Pinnacle)
My Canucks analysis
Despite recently missing four games with a hand injury, Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes has shown off a notable uptick in shot volume this season to pace the club in both shots (110) and attempts (278).
In Hughes' return to action on Monday against Montreal, the star blueliner logged 26:15 of ice time with five shot attempts but failed to register a shot. I expect him to continue firing pucks on the net against the Washington Capitals tonight.
The Canucks captain has racked up three or more shots in 19 of 35 games this season, and he ranks in the 97th percentile of defensemen in both shots on goal and even-strength offensive zone time. Additionally, the power-play quarterback takes 65.5% of his five-on-five faceoffs in the offensive zone, and 71.2% overall.
Hughes is also an elite driver of possession, with his 57.5 Corsi For percentage at 5-on-5 over the past two years sitting fourth among defensemen with at least 2,000 minutes. Of course, his 17.2 relative CF% at even strength paces all skaters this season.
Caps head coach Spencer Carbery noted the club was working through some injury and illness, so I’m projecting this as a neutral matchup for Hughes’ shots.
Canucks vs Capitals odds analysis
With Vancouver winning 27 of its last 45 road games for a 14% ROI on the moneyline, it’s worth considering backing the underdog at +161 tonight.
This total quickly moved off the opening 5.5 at Pinnacle and has been trading at 6.0, with action coming in on the Under by Wednesday morning. I also like the Under 6.0, but it isn’t a strong lean.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Canucks vs Capitals odds
Canucks vs Capitals live odds
Canucks vs Capitals opening odds
- Puck line: Vancouver +1.5 (-174) | Washington -1.5 (+150)
- Moneyline: Vancouver +150 | Washington -171
- Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-119) | Under 5.5 (+104)
Odds courtesy of Pinnacle
Canucks vs Capitals trend
Vancouver has cashed the moneyline in 27 of its last 45 road games (+8.00 Units / 14% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Canucks vs. Capitals.
How to watch Canucks vs Capitals
| Location: | Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C. |
| Date: | Wednesday, 1-8-2025 |
| Puck drop: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Sportsnet Pacific |
Canucks vs Capitals latest injuries
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