The NHL’s New Year’s Day matchup features the Washington Capitals visiting the Ottawa Senators, promising an exciting clash between two teams eager to regain momentum. The game, set for 1:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, sees the Capitals aiming to bounce back from recent struggles while the Senators seek to capitalize on their home advantage.
Both teams have had contrasting experiences this season. The Capitals, currently sitting fourth in the Metropolitan Division, have faced challenges in their last twelve games, with a record of 4-5-3. In contrast, the Senators occupy eighth place in the Atlantic Division and have recently hit a rough patch, losing three consecutive games after a successful stretch where they won five out of six. Despite their current standings, Ottawa trails the division-leading Detroit Red Wings by only ten points, keeping their playoff hopes alive.
Olympic Aspirations and Team Dynamics
The upcoming Olympic Games have added another layer of intrigue to this matchup. The Capitals will feature two players, Tom Wilson and goaltender Logan Thompson, on the Canadian Olympic roster. Meanwhile, the Senators have American hopefuls, including captain Brady Tkachuk and Jake Sanderson, both of whom are strong contenders for Team USA.
While Washington boasts a couple of Canadian Olympians, Ottawa has its own international representation with players like Tim Stutzle from Germany and Linus Ullmark from Sweden. The diverse backgrounds of these athletes contribute to the competitive atmosphere, with several players poised to make significant impacts in today’s game.
In the crease, the Capitals will likely rely on Thompson, who has been impressive this season with a 0.915 save percentage and a goals-against average of 2.33. His performance has been a crucial factor for Washington. On the other side, Leevi Merilainen is expected to step into the starter’s role for Ottawa, although he has struggled with a personal save percentage of 0.869.
Statistical Breakdown and Predictions
Analyzing team statistics reveals a tight contest. Both teams score at comparable rates, with Ottawa averaging 3.21 goals per game, ranking tenth overall, while Washington sits slightly higher at 3.25 goals per game. Defensively, the Capitals excel, allowing only 2.75 goals per game (seventh best), compared to the Senators’ 3.26 goals allowed (24th).
Both teams have similar power play and penalty kill percentages, with Ottawa showcasing strength on power plays but struggling on the penalty kill. Their combined total stands at approximately 96%, while Washington hovers around 92%. For Ottawa to become a playoff contender, addressing their penalty kill issues will be vital.
As the game approaches, Ottawa’s recent form presents a challenge. Despite their current losses, they have shown resilience and the ability to compete fiercely at home. With the Capitals also seeking to regain their winning form, today’s match promises an engaging encounter.
In a prediction for the game, we see the Capitals facing a tough challenge in Ottawa. The Senators could leverage their home-ice advantage to secure a victory, with our forecast being a score of Capitals 2 – Senators 4.
For those interested in prop bets, keep an eye on Aliaksei Protas for the Capitals, who has recently been in excellent form with three goals and five assists in his last four games. For Ottawa, look to Brady Tkachuk, who is currently on a ten-game point streak with 17 points during that span and has scored in four of his last five outings.
As the puck drops, fans can expect an electrifying contest filled with talent and determination, marking a thrilling start to the New Year in the NHL.
