NHL Preview: Ottawa Senators vs. Washington Capitals

The Washington Capitals (29-10-5) and Ottawa Senators (22-18-3) will meet for the first time this season on Thursday, January 16 at 7:00 PM ET at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario. The Capitals are slightly favored on the road with a moneyline at -115 (MyBookie).

Washington Capitals Betting Preview

The Capitals have won their last two games and are 3-2 over their previous five. Their recent success was a 3-0 shutout over the Anaheim Ducks, where they easily covered the 1.5 puck-line spread.

This marked the first shutout of the season for Logan Thompson, who was able to defend against all 19 shot attempts by the Ducks. Brandon Duhaime stood out with his goal and assist, with John Carlson and Ethen Frank adding the other two goals.

The Ducks were aggressive with their 28 hits as opposed to the Capitals’ six. However, the 25 shot attempts by the Capitals proved to be enough to get the job done. They will need to maintain that aggressive approach to find easier scoring opportunities.

The Capitals are accumulating 3.61 goals and firing off 27.3 shot attempts per game. Their defense has held teams to 2.52 goals and 27.7 shot attempts per game, offering an appealing margin of safety.

Ottawa Senators Betting Preview

The Senators have also gone 3-2 over their last five games and are currently on a three-game win streak. In their recent battle, they took care of the New York Islanders with a 2-0 shutout and also covered the puck line as 1.5-goal underdogs.

Adam Gaudette scored the first goal in the second period while Artem Zub landed his first goal of the season later in the third period. Leevi Marilainen recorded his second shutout performance in three games.

The Senators put up 27 shots while the Islanders fired off 24. Both teams were similar in hits, with the Senators being the aggressor with 26. They will need this same energy against the Capitals if they plan to defend their stance at home.

The Senators are putting together 2.88 goals and are taking 29.9 shots per game. Their defense has held opponents to 2.77 goals and 27.3 shot attempts per matchup. This differential offers no room for error, so they have to capitalize on crucial scoring possessions.

Odds, Series Trends, and Free Pick

Check out the Washington Capitals vs. Ottawa Senators betting odds by MyBookie, as they currently offer the Capitals as slight favorites to win. The Capitals are 14-6-1 on the road while the Senators are 11-7-1 at home.

Comparing goal differentials, the Capitals have had slightly more wiggle room in their games with a larger spread to offer. Both teams stack up well, but the Capitals are slightly more appealing despite being on the road.

Final Pick: Washington Capitals -115