Two teams facing each other for the second time this season, the Ottawa Senators and the Washington Capitals face off at Capital One Arena in an Eastern Conference showdown. Sportsnet East will showcase the game, and the action gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, November 22.
Ottawa Senators at Washington Capitals Odds
Washington (+120) is currently the underdog to Washington (-140), and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals. The line for betting the total stands at -130 for the under and +110 for the over.
Washington is 11-11 straight up (SU) and has lost 2.1 units for moneyline bettors thus far. That early-season winning percentage is a noticeable slide from what the team managed during last years regular season (55-27). Through 22 regular season matches, 11 of its games have gone over the total, while another 11 have gone under and none have pushed. The team is 6-4 SU at home this season.
The Capitals have converted on 20.0 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 28th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 76.7 percent of all penalties.
As a team, the Capitals have been whistled for penalties 5.0 times per game overall this season, and 4.0 per game over their last five at home. The teams had to kill penalties for 9.8 minutes per game over their last five home outings.
Averaging 29.2 saves per game with a .919 save percentage, Braden Holtby (11-5) has been the primary option in goal for Washington this year. If the Caps, however, choose to rest him, Washington may roll with the winless Philipp Grubauer (0-8-8 record, .876 save percentage, 3.86 goals against average).
The Caps will continue to look for leadership out of Evgeny Kuznetsov and Alex Ovechkin. Kuznetsov (23 points) has tallied five goals and 18 assists and has recorded two or more points in six different games this year. Ovechkin has 13 goals and seven assists to his name and has recorded at least one point in 12 games.
Ottawa is 8-11 straight up (SU) and has lost 6.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 19 regular season contests, 11 of its games have gone over the total, while eight have gone under and none have pushed. As the visiting team, the Senators are 4-2 SU so far.
The Senators have converted on 17.6 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 18th overall and it’s successfully defended 80.0 percent of all opponent power plays.
Ottawa’s players have been penalized only 3.7 times per game in total this season, and 3.0 per game over their last five match ups. The team has had to defend opponent power plays just 6.0 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Craig Anderson (24.4 saves per game) has been the primary option in the net for Ottawa. Anderson owns a 7-8-3 record, while registering a .899 save percentage and 2.86 goals against average this year.
Mark Stone (13 goals, seven assists) and Erik Karlsson (one goal, 16 assists) have been the top playmakers for Ottawa and will pace the attack for the visiting Senators.
Ottawa Senators at Washington Capitals Betting Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Capitals, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Over Washington’s last ten outings, six of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 2-4 in those games).
- Ottawa has scored 3.3 goals per game overall this year, but has been averaging 1.0 goal per contest over its last three games (0-3 SU over that span).
- Power plays and penalty kills could have a key role in this matchup. The Senators are 4-7 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 5-7 in games where they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Capitals are 4-1 when the team serves fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 5-2 in games where total penalty minutes are in the single digits.
- Ottawa (1-4 in shootouts) has more experience this season in games decided by shootout. Washington, on the other hand,emerged victorious in both of its shootouts this year.
- Washington could have an advantage if it’s a tight one late. The teams 6-3 in games decided by one goal, while Ottawa is 4-7 in such games.
- The under has hit in three of Washington’s last five games.
- Washington is ranked 18th this season with 10.0 giveaways per game. That figure has trended higher lately, as the teams averaged 11.6 giveaways over its last 10 games and 11.6 giveaways over its last five.
- Ottawa skaters have averaged 7.6 giveaways over its last five home games, an improvement from its season average of 10.3 giveaways per game (ranked 20th in the NHL).
- Ottawa skaters have accounted for the 11th-most hits in the league (22.4 per game), but that numbers down to just 16.2 hits over their last five away games.
