NHL Game Preview: Vancouver Canucks at Washington Capitals with Line Combinations 1/8/2025

Elias Pettersson #40 skating for the Vancouver Canucks
Photo: Kevin Neufeld | Inside The Rink

Vancouver Canucks (18-12-9, 45 pts) at Washington Capitals (26-10-4, 56 pts)

Venue: Capital One Arena
Date: Wednesday, January 8
Time: 4:30 pm PST / 7:30 pm EST
TV: ESPN + / Sportsnet / MNMT
Radio
Vancouver Canucks – Sportsnet 650 AM
Washington Capitals – WJFK 106.7 FM / WFED 1500 AM

DraftKings Sportsbook Betting Lines:
Vancouver Canucks +1.5 ML +155
Washington Capitals -1.5 ML -185
O/U 5.5

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Vancouver Canucks News & Notes:

The Canucks have lost two in a row and four of their last five games as they travel to Washington to face the Capitals. The Canucks have inner turmoil with the J.T. Miller/Elias Pettersson situation still unsettled and it seems to be affecting the play on the ice. Vancouver has fallen to fourth in the Pacific Division and is 3-3-4 in their last ten games. The Canucks are an excellent road team with an 11-4-3 record as they look to right the ship in D.C. tonight.

Washington Capitals News & Notes:

The Capitals have been one of the best teams in the NHL all season long, Washington doesn’t have a weakness. The Caps are second in goals for, third in goals against, first in shooting percentage, ninth in powerplay percentage, and fourth on the penalty kill. Washington is equally as good on the road as they are at home, it doesn’t matter where the game is – the Capitals play hard. Tonight is the first of two meetings between these teams this season.

Vancouver Canucks Projected Lines:

Lekkerimaki-Miller-Boeser
DeBrusk-Suter-Garland
Di Giuseppe-Blueger-Sherwood
Heinen-Sasson-Hoglander

Hughes-Myers
Soucy-Juulsen
Forbort-Desharnais

Lankinen
Silovs

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Washington Capitals Projected Lines:

Ovechkin-Strome-Raddysh
Protas-Dubois-Wilson
Eller-McMichael-Miroshnichenko
Duhaime-Dowd-Mangiapane

Sandin-Carlson
Chychrun-Roy
Fehervary-van Riemsdyk

Thompson
Lindgren

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Players To Watch:

Vancouver Canucks

J.T. Miller had two goals and two assists in the Canucks 5-4 OT loss in Montreal on Monday night. The goals were Miller’s first two goals in his last 13 games. The 31-year-old center is producing at a point-per-game pace and is second on the Canucks in scoring with 29 points (8g, 21a) in 29 games.

Washington Capitals

Tom Wilson has goals four goals and five points in three January games for the Capitals. The rugged power forward continues to intimidate opponents while producing on the offensive end. Wilson’s best season was the 2021-2022 season when the Toronto, Ontario native had 52 points (24g, 28a) in 78 games played. This season, the 30-year-old winger is on pace for 66 points and 37 goals, which would be career highs, and is on pace for the fewest penalty minutes of his career (70).

Injury Report:

Vancouver Canucks

D Filip Hronek – IR
C Elias Pettersson – IR
C Dakota Joshua – OUT
G Thatcher Demko – Day To Day

Washington Capitals

LW Sonny Milano – IR
RW TJ Oshie – LTIR
C Nicklas Backstrom – LTIR

Next Game:

Vancouver Canucks – January 10 at Carolina Hurricanes
Washington Capitals – January 10 vs. Montreal Canadiens

Season 4. Episode 16. Gutsy Loss Bruins Benders Podcast

Joe Sacco applauds a “gutsy” loss. Charlie Coyle says there are bigger issues than lack of scoring. The Panthers await on Saturday and Kristie Delisi from Inside the Rink joins us and Bruins fans make a statement plus much more!DraftKings Sportsbook – Boston’s hometown Sportsbook is LIVE right here in Massachusetts! Bet local on all your favorite sports from the comfort of your own home with DraftKings. To celebrate, ALL new customers will receive up to TWO HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS bets when you sign up for DraftKings Sportsbook using code ITR! You can now bet local on money lines, spreads, props, and more with one of America’s top-rated Sportsbooks – DraftKings Sportsbook!  Download the DraftKings Sportsbook app and sign up with code ITR to get up to TWO HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS bets to use now that mobile sports betting is live in Massachusetts. That’s code ITR only at DraftKings Sportsbook. If you or a loved one is experiencing problems with gambling, call 800 327-5050 or visit helplineMA.org to speak with a trained specialist, free and confidentially, twenty four seven. Must be 21+. Physically present in MA. Eligibility restrictions apply. Subject to regulatory licensing requirementsEligibility and deposit restrictions apply. Opt in required. Bonus issued as free bets. Terms at draftkings.com/MA.
  1. Season 4. Episode 16. Gutsy Loss
  2. Season 4. Episode 15. Public Skate
  3. Season 4. Episode 14. West Coast Road Trip.
  4. Season 4. Episode 13. This Is Not the Sway
  5. Season 4. Episode 12. Going Streaking!

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