NHL
Sports Interaction Staff
October 5, 2017

Washington Capitals vs. Ottawa Senators: NHL Odds, Prediction

North America’s two national capitals experienced major playoff letdowns last year, for very different reasons. The Washington Capitals and Ottawa Senators will look to put those disappointments behind them beginning with Thursday’s season opener at Canadian Tire Centre. The Capitals led the NHL in regular-season points but fell in the second round to Pittsburgh, while the Sens lost in seven games to the Pens in the Eastern Conference final.

Capitals vs. Senators

Moneyline: Capitals -130
Date: Thursday, October 5, 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Canadian Tire Centre, Kanata, Ont.

Moneyline and Betting Analysis

This head-to-head matchup has been a one-sided affair of late, with the Capitals prevailing in five of the last six meetings between the teams. That said, Washington has had trouble in the Canadian capital, winning just five of its last 16 games in Kanata. Ottawa lost just 11 home games in regulation during the 2016-17 – tied for third-fewest in the Eastern Conference – while giving up just 2.32 goals per game in Kanata, the seventh-best rate in the league.

On that note, the Senators have been one of the top under plays against the Metropolitan Division over the past several years, going beneath the total 63 times in their last 99 games versus Metropolitan foes. That includes every meeting with the Capitals last season, in which just seven goals were scored in all three games. Washington took two of those three meetings, with each team recording a shutout.

Washington Capitals

The Eastern Conference has been no match for the Capitals, who have a stunning 37 wins in their last 53 games against conference opponents. That dominance has been even more pronounced against the Atlantic Division, with Washington boasting 53 wins in its previous 68 games versus that seven-team grouping. This despite a muted effort from Alex Ovechkin, who had just six goals and 10 assists in 24 games vs. the Atlantic Division last season.

Ottawa Senators

While much of the preseason attention has been focused on the Senators’ solid defensive and goaltending efforts from a season ago, the offense is a concern. Ottawa finished 22nd in goal scoring last season, with defenseman Erik Karlsson finishing with 10 more points than any forward on the roster. The team enjoyed nice scoring balance – nine players finished with double-digit goal tallies – but will need someone to step up and be a go-to goal guy.