Washington at Ottawa

Washington has changed since they installed Bruce Boudreau as coach. Just 6-15 under Glen Hanlon, they have  been a .500 club since. So, this team is on the improve and may catch Ottawa unawares. Favorites coming off three straight wins by 2+ goals each are just a 50-50 proposition in their next game over the last five seasons. Top-level teams (those outscoring opponents by 0.7+ goals per game actually lose 54% of the time in the above situation. The Senators are 19-23 in their last 42 games following two straight 5+ goal performances. We look for a letdown by Ottawa here.