Capital One Arena plays host to an intriguing clash as the Washington Capitals take on the visiting Ottawa Senators. It’s the third and last time that the two clubs will go at it in the regular season. NBC Sports Washington will showcase this Eastern Conference matchup, and the opening face-off takes place at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, February 26.
Ottawa Senators vs. Washington Capitals Odds
Washington (-300) is currently favored over Ottawa (+250), and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 7 goals (-120 money on the under, +100 on the over).
The Capitals are 35-28 straight-up (SU) and have hurt moneyline bettors to the tune of -0.1 units so far. That winning percentage, ranked 3rd in the Metropolitan Division in this young season, isn’t too far off from to the 49-33 record the team produced during last year’s regular season campaign. Among the team’s 63 games this season, 33 have gone over the total, while 27 have gone under and just three have pushed. The team’s 18-14 SU at home this season.
Washington has converted on 21.7 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that places them in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 24th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 78.5 percent of all penalties.
As a team, Washington has been called for penalties 4.0 times per game overall this season, and 5.0 per game over its past five contests. The team’s had to kill penalties for 12.0 minutes per contest over its last five home games.
Averaging 28.5 saves per game with a .908 save percentage, Braden Holtby (21-23-6) has been the top goalkeeper for the Capitals this year. If the Caps decide to rest him, however, the team may go with Pheonix Copley (15-8-8 record, .901 save percentage, 3.06 goals against average).
The Caps will continue relying on offensive production from Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom. Ovechkin (72 points) has put up 44 goals and 28 assists and has recorded two or more points 18 times this year. Backstrom has 15 goals and 43 assists to his name and has recorded at least one point in 37 games.
Ottawa has lost 6.1 units for moneyline bettors thus far and is currently 22-40 straight up (SU). 34 of its outings have gone over the total, while 24 have gone under the total and just four have pushed. Ottawa’s 8-22 SU as an away team this season.
Ottawa has converted on 20.6 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 24th overall and it’s successfully killed off 78.0 percent of all penalties.
Ottawa’s skaters have been penalized 3.5 times per game in total this season, 3.2 per game over their last five outings total, and 3.0 per game over their last five on the road. The team has had to defend opponent power plays just 8.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Craig Anderson (3.53 goals against average and .905 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Ottawa. Anderson is averaging 31.5 saves per game and owns a 14-24-3 record.
Leading the offensive push for the visiting Senators will be Mark Stone (28 goals, 34 assists) and Matt Duchene (27 goals, 31 assists).
Ottawa Senators vs. Washington Capitals Free Picks
Prediction: SU Winner – Capitals, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- For both of these teams, the game went over the total in three of their past five matchups.
- The Caps this season have registered the 12th-most hits per game in the NHL (23.0).
