Ottawa Senators vs Washington Capitals Betting Picks

Ottawa is the hot team here, winning two straight and five of their last six games. They are a top-10-scoring team, and their defense has been solid, allowing two or fewer goals in six of their last 10 games. Ottawa ranks No. 2 in the league in allowing the fewest shots on goal. The Senators' defense leads the NHL in expected goals against in regulation. Linus Ullmark is slated to start in net for Ottawa. Ullmark is 3-0-1 with a .918 save percentage and a 2.31 goals-against average during his past four starts against Washington. The Capitals have scored a combined five goals in their last three games. They are 18th in scoring and 28th on the power play. Washington is 2-5 in its last seven games following a 3-2 home loss to the Bruins this past Saturday. That is the Bruins' only road win in their last 10 away games. Take the Senators. 

Washington is the No. 1 defensive team in the NHL, yielding only 1.8 goals per game. The Capitals made it six wins in their last seven games, cooling off Columbus on the road last night, 5-1. The Blue Jackets entered last night's matchup against Washington having defeated the Lightning and Stars in their previous two games. The Capitals have allowed two or fewer goals in six of their last seven games. They have surrendered only one goal in each of the previous two games. There have been fewer than seven goals scored in seven of Washington's eight games this season. Ottawa has shown defensive improvement in its last two games, giving up only three goals in regulation against the Flyers and Oilers. Ottawa has a below-average offense, ranking 19th in goals scored. The Senators are missing injured Brady Tkachuk. The Capitals are likely to play a more conservative game here with backup goalie Charlie Lindgren projected in net. Lindgren has a 1-0 shutout of the Rangers during one of his two starts this season. The Senators are 2-5 in their last seven games. Look for the Capitals to effectively control the pace and get the victory in what should be a low-scoring game. Take the Capitals and the UNDER.

Ottawa is getting outscored on the season and is 13-16-2 on the road. They've lost five of six games with an offense that is 24th in scoring and 29th in shooting percentage. The defense is 19th in penalty killing, and they've lost their last three on the road by a 14-5 count. Washington has a +58 goal differential, the best in the Eastern Conference, and is 18-7-6 at home. The offense is No. 1 in the NHL in goals scored (3.58 per game) and shooting percentage, while the defense is sixth in penalty killing and third in goals given up (2.57 per game). Washington plays its fourth consecutive home game and is eager to end a three-game skid. Play Washington. 

Two UNDER teams battle tonight as Washington is 28-19-3 UNDER and Ottawa is 30-14-6 UNDER this season. Washington is on a current 10-0-0 UNDER run. The Capitals have gone UNDER six road games in a row and six straight overall playing with one day of rest. The last meeting was on Jan. 16 and the Capitals won 1-0 in overtime. The Senators have stayed UNDER six of seven home games and their past five overall. They are 4-0-2 UNDER playing with at least three days rest. Logan Thompson has been sensational in his first season with the Caps as he is 23-2-3 with a 2.12 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage. Anton Forsberg is likely for Ottawa with a 2.73 GAA. Take the UNDER.