Friday night hockey takes center stage as the Washington Capitals travel to the Windy City to take on the Chicago Blackhawks. With the Blackhawks currently riding a surprising four-game winning streak and the Capitals looking to bounce back from a tough loss, this matchup at the United Center promises plenty of intrigue. Whether you are looking to catch Alex Ovechkin’s pursuit of history or see if Chicago’s depth can continue to shine, here is everything you need to know to watch the game.
How to Watch Washington Capitals at Chicago Blackhawks
Date: Friday, January 9, 2026
Puck Drop: 8:00 PM EST (7:00 PM CT)
Venue: United Center, Chicago, IL
TV Channels (USA):
- National: NHL Network
- Chicago Market: Chicago Sports Network (CHSN)
- Washington Market: Monumental Sports Network 2 (MNMT2)
TV Channels (Canada):
- English: Sportsnet Pacific (SNP)
- French: TVA Sports (TVAS)
Streaming Options:
- USA: ESPN+ (Out-of-market), Hulu
- Local: CHSN App (Chicago area), Monumental+ (DC area)
Team Records and Recent Form
Washington Capitals (2025-26 Season)
- Record: 22-16-6 (50 Points)
- Standing: 4th in Metropolitan Division
- Last Game: Lost 4-1 vs. Dallas Stars (Jan 7)
Chicago Blackhawks (2025-26 Season)
- Record: 18-18-7 (43 Points)
- Standing: 5th in Central Division
- Last Game: Won 7-3 vs. St. Louis Blues (Jan 7)
The Blackhawks are currently playing some of their best hockey of the season, having won four consecutive games, including a 7-goal explosion against St. Louis. The Capitals, meanwhile, have stumbled slightly, coming off a 4-1 defeat to Dallas and dealing with a few key absences in their lineup.
Leading Scorers and Key Stats
Washington Capitals Leaders:
- Tom Wilson: 22 Goals, 20 Assists (42 Points)
- Alex Ovechkin: 18 Goals, 19 Assists (37 Points)
- Aliaksei Protas: 16 Goals, 15 Assists (31 Points)
Chicago Blackhawks Leaders:
- Connor Bedard: 19 Goals, 25 Assists (44 Points)
- Tyler Bertuzzi: 22 Goals, 12 Assists (34 Points)
- Andre Burakovsky: 9 Goals, 19 Assists (28 Points)
Note: Connor Bedard leads the team in scoring despite missing recent action due to injury.
Injury Report
Washington Capitals:
- Tom Wilson (Forward): Day-to-Day (Lower Body) — Doubtful for tonight.
- Aliaksei Protas (Forward): Day-to-Day (Lower Body) — Possibility to return.
- Pierre-Luc Dubois (Forward): Out (Abdomen).
Chicago Blackhawks:
- Connor Bedard (Forward): Day-to-Day (Shoulder) — Monitor status close to game time.
- Frank Nazar (Forward): Out (Upper Body).
- Shea Weber (Defense): Out for Season (Ankle).
Game Prediction and Betting Analysis
Betting Odds: Washington Capitals -148 | Over/Under: 5.5
Personally, I think this line is a bit of a trap. The oddsmakers have the Capitals as heavy road favorites (-148) despite Chicago’s four-game heater. The Blackhawks have found ways to score by committee even with Bedard sidelined, putting up 7 goals in their last outing. However, regression usually hits hard after an outburst like that. I believe the Capitals, who are desperate to stay in the Metropolitan playoff mix, will tighten up defensively. If Protas returns, it gives them a much-needed boost. I’m fading the hot hand here; give me the Capitals to win 3-2, snapping Chicago’s streak in a close, gritty game.
More NHL Action and Online Pool
If you are looking for more ways to find the Washington Capitals on TV today or check out the full Chicago Blackhawks TV schedule, browse our league-wide broadcast guide. We also track the NHL point leaders for the 2025-26 season daily. Don’t forget to sign up for our online hockey pool where you can compete for real cash prizes on my website—it’s the best way to test your fantasy hockey knowledge against other fans!
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