NHL Game Preview: Washington Capitals at San Jose Sharks

Game Information:

Matchup: Washington Capitals vs. San Jose Sharks
Date: Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Time: 10:00 PM EST
Venue: SAP Center, San Jose, CA
TV: ESPN+

Game Preview

The Washington Capitals travel to the West Coast for a late-night matchup against a struggling San Jose Sharks team. The Capitals enter the game as road favorites, looking to capitalize on a favorable matchup, while the Sharks hope to leverage their home ice to pull off an upset.

The moneyline odds reflect the expected disparity between the two clubs, with the Capitals listed at -154 and the Sharks as home underdogs at +128.

Washington Capitals Outlook

The Capitals are the clear favorites in this contest. While specific injury information for this exact date is fluid, recent reports from late October noted that key players like forward Dylan Strome and defenseman Rasmus Sandin were dealing with day-to-day injuries. Bettors should monitor the team’s gameday roster, but Washington’s depth has generally allowed them to navigate these challenges.

Washington’s strength lies in its veteran experience and offensive structure. Advanced stats for this matchup project the Capitals with a slight edge, expecting them to score around 3.16 goals, indicating their offense should find opportunities against a porous Sharks defense. As the road team, a strong start will be crucial to quiet the home crowd and assert control early.

San Jose Sharks Outlook

It has been a difficult season for the San Jose Sharks, who have been in a deep rebuilding phase. As reflected in their record in other matchups this season, the team has consistently been near the bottom of the league standings.

Injuries have been a significant storyline for the Sharks. The team has dealt with various ailments throughout the year, including placing forward William Eklund on injured reserve in November. While they have seen some players return, such as defenseman John Klingberg who came back from a lower-body injury in October, the roster has been in constant flux. The team is looking to build chemistry and find silver linings in a challenging year. Playing as significant home underdogs, they will need a stellar performance from their goaltender and must capitalize on any power-play chances to have a shot at victory.

Prediction

The Washington Capitals are the stronger team on paper and have the offensive firepower to take control of this game. While the Sharks are playing at home, their season-long struggles and defensive liabilities are too significant to ignore. The moneyline reflects this, making the Capitals a solid, if not heavily juiced, favorite. San Jose has battled hard this season but has consistently come up short against more structured opponents.

The Capitals’ offensive edge and veteran leadership should be the deciding factor against a young and rebuilding Sharks squad.

Final Pick: Washington Capitals Moneyline (-154)