The Washington Capitals and New Jersey Devils are preparing for a pivotal matchup on April 2, 2026, at the Prudential Center. The Capitals enter the game with a record of 38-28-9, currently sitting 12th in the Eastern Conference, while the Devils hold a record of 38-34-2, placing them 13th in the same conference.
Both teams are looking to improve their standings as the season approaches its conclusion. The Capitals are coming off a recent 6-4 victory against the Philadelphia Flyers and are not expected to make any lineup changes for this game. Their projected lineup includes star players such as Alex Ovechkin and Dylan Strome.
On the other side, the Devils will feature key players like Timo Meier and Nico Hischier. Jack Hughes has been a standout for New Jersey, accumulating 63 points in just 53 games this season, making him a player to watch in this matchup.
In terms of goaltending, Jacob Markstrom has faced challenges this season, holding a .883 save percentage and a goals-against average of 3.1. In contrast, Logan Thompson has performed better with a .912 save percentage and a goals-against average of 2.5.
Injury updates have also impacted both teams. The Devils will be without Arseny Gritsyuk for the remainder of the season due to surgery, while Aleksei Protas is listed as day-to-day with an upper body injury.
The game is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. ET, and both teams are eager to secure a win to bolster their playoff hopes. Observers are keen to see how the Capitals’ offensive strength will match up against the Devils’ talent, particularly with Hughes leading the charge for New Jersey.
As the game approaches, fans and analysts alike are anticipating a competitive showdown, which could have significant implications for both teams’ playoff aspirations.