The Washington Capitals face off against the Ottawa Senators today in a New Year’s Day matchup at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa. The game, scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), is particularly noteworthy as it features the capital cities of both Canada and the United States. This marks the second meeting of the season between the two teams, with Ottawa having convincingly won the first encounter 7-1.
A Look at the Teams’ Current Form
Both teams enter this game under different circumstances. The Capitals are coming off a recent upturn, highlighted by the selection of Logan Thompson and Tom Wilson to the Canadian Olympic roster. Meanwhile, defenseman Jakob Chychrun was notably left off, despite his impressive performance this season.
In an ironic twist, while the Capitals boast Canadian Olympians, the Senators are eyeing potential American representatives. The U.S. Olympic roster will be announced tomorrow, but Ottawa’s captain Brady Tkachuk has already secured his place, alongside teammate Jake Sanderson, who is also a strong candidate. Another player to watch is Shane Pinto, whose presence significantly boosts the team’s performance when healthy.
Goaltending and Team Statistics
In goal, the Capitals are likely to start Thompson, who has a save percentage of .915 and a goals-against average of 2.33. His strong play has been crucial for Washington, which currently holds a seventh place in goals allowed per game at 2.75. The Senators will counter with Leevi Merilainen, who is stepping up due to Linus Ullmark’s injury. Merilainen has struggled, holding a save percentage of .869, illustrating the challenges Ottawa faces defensively.
When comparing team statistics, both squads have similar scoring rates, with Ottawa averaging 3.21 goals per game and Washington slightly ahead at 3.25. However, Washington excels defensively, as their goals allowed per game ranks significantly better than Ottawa’s, which sits at 3.26.
The special teams also present an interesting dynamic. Ottawa has a robust power play, contributing to a combined special teams percentage of approximately 96%, while Washington stands at around 92%. However, Ottawa’s penalty kill has been problematic, ranking among the worst in the league, and must improve if they aim for a playoff position.
As the season progresses, Ottawa, currently eighth in the Atlantic Division, has been trying to regain form after losing three consecutive games. In contrast, Washington, positioned fourth in the Metropolitan Division, is looking to break a stretch where they have gone 4-5-3 in their last twelve games. Both teams are eager to find their footing as they navigate the competitive NHL landscape.
Given the recent performances and home-ice advantage, predictions lean towards a spirited contest, with Ottawa potentially edging out Washington. Despite being at the bottom of their division, Ottawa trails the division-leading Detroit Red Wings by just ten points, indicating that every game is crucial as the playoff race heats up.
Prediction: Capitals 2 – Senators 4.
In terms of player prop bets, consider Aliaksei Protas from the Capitals, who has been productive with three goals and five assists in his last four games. Similarly, keep an eye on Tkachuk, who has been on a scoring streak with 17 points in his last ten games.
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