The Washington Capitals and Nashville Predators meet Thursday at Bridgestone Arena in the first game of their season series, a matchup between two teams still searching for consistency a few weeks into the 2026-27 campaign. This Capitals vs Predators preview looks at the biggest question facing each side: can either goaltender find his footing after a rocky stretch of October hockey.
Washington enters at 6-4-0 and sits fifth in the Metropolitan Division with 12 points. Nashville is 4-3-5 and fourth in the Central Division with 13 points, a record padded by five overtime losses. Puck drop is set for 8 p.m. ET.
Washington Capitals Vs Nashville Predators Game Information
- Date: Thursday, Oct. 29
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
- Venue: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN
- TV/Streaming: ESPN+, MNMT, Scripps Sports
- Series: First meeting of the 2026-27 season series
Who Starts In Net For Each Team
Charlie Lindgren is projected to start for Washington, while Juuse Saros is listed as the probable starter for Nashville, according to official data. Both clubs carry identical .897 save percentages this season, and both goaltending groups have been part of uneven defensive showings. Washington has allowed 32 goals in 10 games for a 3.20 goals-against average, while Nashville has allowed 36 goals in 12 games for a 3.00 mark.
Saros has started five of Nashville’s last six decisions during a stretch that included a 6-0 loss to Boston and a shootout loss to the Islanders on Tuesday. Lindgren takes over for Washington after the Capitals alternated results in their last five outings, including an overtime win over Buffalo on Oct. 24.
What Is Washington’s Injury Situation
The Capitals are without three players on injured reserve. Defenseman Vincent Desharnais is recovering from abdomen surgery with a projected return date of Dec. 5. Fellow defenseman Rasmus Sandin is out after right knee surgery, with a targeted return of Dec. 26.
Center Patrick Thomas is on injured reserve with an upper-body injury and has a projected return date of Nov. 14. All three designations and timelines come from official team data and remain subject to change.
How Have Both Teams Played Recently
Nashville’s last five games have been a mix of blowouts in both directions: a 5-2 win over St. Louis, a 6-0 loss at Boston, a 3-2 overtime loss at Pittsburgh, a 6-2 win over Colorado and a 4-3 shootout loss to the Islanders on Wednesday. The Predators have points in four of those five games but have needed extra time in two of their last three.
Washington has been more stable, going 3-2-0 in its last five with wins over Montreal, New Jersey and Buffalo in overtime, and losses to Carolina and Los Angeles. Alex Tuch leads the Capitals with seven goals and nine points, while Dylan Strome paces the team with six assists.
Key Matchup
Nashville’s power play, which has converted 13 goals compared to Washington’s five, lines up against a Capitals penalty-killing unit that will be tested without two of its regular defensemen. With Desharnais and Sandin both out, Washington’s blue line depth is thinner than it was earlier in October, and Steven Stamkos, who leads the Predators with 15 points and seven goals, will look to exploit any space on the man advantage. Roman Josi’s team-high 11 assists also make him a factor in puck movement from the back end. How Washington’s remaining defensemen handle that workload could determine whether Nashville’s power-play numbers keep climbing.
What To Watch
Both teams sit outside the top half of their divisions early in the season, Washington with 12 points in the Metropolitan and Nashville with 13 in the Central, so every game carries weight as the standings begin to take shape. Nashville’s five overtime losses stand out as a point of inefficiency the Predators will look to correct, while Washington will try to build on consecutive stretches where it has avoided overtime losses altogether. The Capitals and Predators are scheduled to play again later in the season as part of their series, giving both sides a chance to build on whatever happens Thursday night.
For more NHL coverage, see the Capitals’ recent matchup with the Flyers, the Capitals’ win over the Devils, and the Capitals’ loss to the Kraken.
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