The NHL serves up a perfect Black Friday treat this afternoon as the Toronto Maple Leafs head south to the Capital One Arena to take on the Washington Capitals. With both teams jostling for playoff positioning early in the 2025-26 campaign, this 5:00 PM ET matinee promises plenty of offensive fireworks. Whether you are recovering from a turkey coma or just looking to start your weekend with high-stakes hockey, here is everything you need to know to catch the action.
How to Watch Leafs vs. Capitals on TV and Streaming
For viewers in the United States, the game will be streamed exclusively on ESPN+. Local fans in the D.C. area can also catch the broadcast on Monumental Sports Network (MNMT).
In Canada, puck drop is set for 5:00 PM ET. You can watch the game on TSN4. For streamers north of the border, the game is available on Sportsnet+.
Game Preview: Leafs vs. Capitals 2025-26 Season
The Toronto Maple Leafs (10-10-3) enter today’s contest looking to build momentum after a gritty 2-1 overtime win against Columbus on Wednesday. That victory marked the return of captain Auston Matthews, who had missed five games with a lower-body injury. While Matthews is shaking off the rust (14 points in 18 games), William Nylander has carried the offense with 31 points (11G, 20A) alongside John Tavares (28 points). However, the Leafs are dealing with significant injury trouble in the crease; goaltender Anthony Stolarz is out with an upper-body injury, leaving the net to Joseph Woll.
The Washington Capitals (13-9-2) are flying high, sitting 3rd in the Metropolitan Division. They are coming off a 4-3 win over Winnipeg and have found a devastating rhythm at home. Tom Wilson is having a career year, leading the team with 24 points, while the ageless Alex Ovechkin and defenseman John Carlson have both tallied 22 points. The Caps will be without Pierre-Luc Dubois (abdominal surgery) and Nic Dowd (IR), but goaltender Logan Thompson has been a revelation, posting some of the best high-danger save numbers in the league.
Betting Odds & Score Prediction
The oddsmakers have the Washington Capitals as favorites at -155, with the Over/Under set at 6.5 goals.
Personally, I’m leaning heavily toward Washington in this matchup. While it’s great to see Matthews back for Toronto, the Leafs have struggled to find consistency on the road, winning just two of their last nine games overall. With Stolarz out, Toronto’s goaltending is vulnerable against a Capitals offense that is averaging over 3.3 goals per game. Washington’s home-ice advantage and Logan Thompson’s stellar form give them the edge here. I expect a high-scoring affair where the Caps pull away late.
Prediction: Washington Capitals 5, Toronto Maple Leafs 3.
Around the League & Where to Play
If you are looking for more than just the Leafs on TV today, the Washington Capitals TV schedule is packed with national games this month. Elsewhere in the league, the 2025-26 NHL point leaders race is heating up, with Nathan MacKinnon (39 pts) leading the pack and rookie sensation Macklin Celebrini (34 pts) turning heads in San Jose. If you think you know who will top the charts next, check out the online hockey pool for cash prizes on my website. It’s the best way to test your knowledge against other fans while watching the games tonight.
The post Black Friday Showdown: How to Watch the Toronto Maple Leafs at Washington Capitals (Nov 28, 2025) appeared first on NHL Trade Rumors.
