Seattle Kraken vs Washington Capitals Picks and Predictions for Sunday October 11 2026
The Seattle Kraken head to Washington, D.C., on Sunday afternoon for a matchup against the Capitals at Capital One Arena. The puck is set to drop at 5:00 PM ET, with coverage on Monumental Sports Network and NHL Power Play on ESPN+. Seattle comes into the game with a 3-2 record after taking down Detroit 6-3 on Friday night. Washington has looked good to start the season as well, sitting at 3-1 following a 3-1 win over the New York Rangers. Both teams have shown they can put goals on the board, but the Capitals have done a better job of keeping opponents from getting quality scoring chances. At the time of this writing, verified sportsbook odds were not available. Be sure to check out our free NHL picks for more NHL predictions throughout the season.
Seattle Kraken Look to Keep the Offense Rolling
Seattle has to be feeling pretty good about its offense after Friday night's win over Detroit. The Kraken put six goals on the board against the Red Wings, including four in the second period, to cruise to a 6-3 victory. It was a much-needed response after getting hammered 6-2 by Vegas earlier in the week. Seattle has now scored 21 goals through five games, and when the Kraken get their offense moving, they can make life miserable for opposing defenses. The problem is that the offense hasn't always been enough to cover up some questionable play on the other end of the ice.
The Kraken are averaging 4.2 goals per game while allowing 2.8. Those numbers look pretty good on paper, but the Detroit game exposed a problem that Seattle needs to get under control. The Kraken allowed 41 shots on goal, and that is a lot of work to put on a goaltender in a single game. Seattle was able to overcome it against Detroit, but giving up that many opportunities on a regular basis is going to catch up with a team. The Kraken have shown they can score in bunches, but they can't expect to win every night by simply outscoring their defensive mistakes.
Seattle is also dealing with the loss of defenseman Ryan Lindgren, who was placed on injured reserve with an upper-body injury and is expected to miss four to six weeks. That leaves the Kraken a little thinner on the blue line heading into a game against a Washington team that has been playing some solid hockey. Seattle needs to find a way to limit the Capitals' time in the offensive zone and avoid getting caught out of position. The Kraken have enough offense to give Washington problems, but I don't like their chances of winning if they allow another 40-plus shots. The offense may be rolling, but the defense has some work to do.
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Washington Capitals Look to Make It Three Straight
Washington has gotten off to a good start this season, winning three of its first four games. The Capitals come into Sunday riding a two-game winning streak after beating Pittsburgh 5-3 on Wednesday and following that up with a 3-1 win over the Rangers on Friday. What I like about Washington is that the Capitals haven't needed to play the same type of game every night to get a win. They were able to put five goals on Pittsburgh, then turned around and shut down a New York team that had been playing some excellent hockey. That kind of versatility can make Washington a tough team to deal with.
The win over the Rangers was probably Washington's best defensive effort of the young season. New York came into the game riding a four-game winning streak, but the Capitals held the Rangers to just 22 shots on goal. Washington fell behind early before taking control with two goals in the second period and keeping New York from mounting much of a comeback. The Capitals have scored 14 goals through four games while allowing only nine, giving them an average of 3.5 goals scored and 2.25 allowed per contest. Washington hasn't been quite as explosive as Seattle, but the Capitals have been doing a better job of keeping the puck out of their own net.
Washington also has the advantage of playing at home, where the Capitals have won their first two games of the season. That could be important against a Seattle team coming off a high-scoring road win. The Kraken are going to look for opportunities to get out in transition, but Washington has shown it can slow teams down and force them to work for their scoring chances. I like the way the Capitals have handled themselves defensively, especially against the Rangers. If Washington can keep Seattle from getting comfortable in the offensive zone, the Capitals should have plenty of chances to take advantage of the Kraken's defensive problems.
Seattle Kraken vs Washington Capitals Picks and Predictions
Seattle Kraken vs Washington Capitals Moneyline Pick: Washington Capitals
I'm going with Washington to pick up its third straight win on Sunday. Seattle deserves credit for putting six goals on Detroit, but I have a hard time overlooking the 41 shots the Kraken allowed in that game. That is simply too many chances to give an opponent, especially when facing a Washington team that has been playing well on both ends of the ice. The Capitals just held a Rangers team that had won four straight to one goal and 22 shots, and that is the kind of defensive performance I want to see from a team I'm backing. Seattle has the offensive firepower to keep this game interesting, but Washington has been more reliable defensively and has the benefit of playing at home. I expect the Kraken to get their opportunities, but I look for the Capitals to control enough of the action to come away with the win. The moneyline price will determine the betting value, but Washington is my straight-up pick.
Seattle Kraken vs Washington Capitals Total Pick: Over 5.5 Goals
I'm leaning toward the Over 5.5 goals in this matchup. Seattle has already scored 21 goals in five games, and the Kraken have shown they can put several goals on the board in a hurry. The problem for Seattle is that its defense has also given opponents plenty of opportunities, and Washington should be able to take advantage of that. The Capitals have scored 14 goals in four games, including five against Pittsburgh, so they certainly have enough offense to contribute to a higher-scoring contest. Washington has been good defensively, but I don't expect the Capitals to completely shut down a Seattle team averaging more than four goals per game. I look for Washington to get its share of scoring chances against the Kraken while Seattle does enough offensively to keep the total moving. A 4-2 Washington win would be enough to cash the Over, and I think six combined goals is a reasonable expectation. The Over 5.5 is my selection if that number is available.
Final Picks: Washington Capitals Moneyline and Over 5.5 Goals
This preview was prepared on October 10, 2026. Betting lines, injuries, starting goaltenders, and other game information may change before puck drop. The Over 5.5 recommendation is conditional on that total being offered.
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