The Washington Capitals visit the Ottawa Senators on January 1, 2024, for a highly anticipated NHL matchup. The game, set to take place at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, marks the second of three meetings between the two teams this season. Ottawa decisively won the first encounter 7-1, adding some extra intensity to this New Year’s Day clash.
As the Capitals and Senators gear up, both teams are navigating a mix of challenges and opportunities. The Capitals have recently experienced a morale boost, with players such as Tom Wilson and goaltender Logan Thompson earning spots on the Canadian Olympic roster. Meanwhile, the Senators look to capitalize on their American talent, as captain Brady Tkachuk has already secured a place on Team USA.
Team Dynamics and Olympic Aspirations
The Capitals arrive in Ottawa with a wealth of international representation, but an ironic twist sees them with Canadian Olympic participants while the Senators boast American hopefuls. Jake Sanderson is likely to join Tkachuk on Team USA, while Shane Pinto, despite a recent injury setback, aims to make his case for inclusion.
Both teams feature a diverse array of international players. The Capitals’ roster includes Martin Fehervary from Slovakia, as well as potential selections such as Rasmus Sandin from Sweden and John Carlson from the USA. On the Senators’ side, Lars Eller and Mads Sogaard could represent Denmark, while Tim Stutzle and Linus Ullmark are in the mix for Germany and Sweden, respectively.
Goaltending Matchup and Team Statistics
In goal, the Capitals will likely start Logan Thompson, who boasts a commendable save percentage of .915 and a goals-against average of 2.33. His performance has been crucial to Washington’s success. Conversely, the Senators are expected to rely on Leevi Merilainen, who is stepping into the starter’s role with a challenging .869 save percentage.
Analyzing their recent performances reveals that both teams score similarly, with the Capitals averaging 3.25 goals per game and the Senators at 3.21. However, the Capitals excel in defensive play, allowing only 2.75 goals per game, ranking seventh in the league, compared to the Senators’ 3.26, placing them 24th.
Both teams are relatively even on special teams, with Ottawa slightly ahead in power play efficiency at approximately 96%, while Washington hovers around 92%. However, Ottawa’s struggles on the penalty kill, historically poor this season, must be addressed if they hope to contend for a playoff position.
The Senators, currently eighth in the Atlantic Division, started strong with five wins in six games but have recently faltered, losing three consecutive matches. The Capitals, sitting fourth in the Metropolitan Division, have a record of 4-5-3 in their last 12 games but previously enjoyed a significant nine-game winning streak.
The stakes for both teams are high as they aim to regain momentum. Despite being last in their division, the Senators trail the leading Detroit Red Wings by only ten points, highlighting the competitive nature of the standings.
As for predictions, while the Capitals have the edge in experience and recent performance, the home ice advantage could favor the Senators in this encounter. Expect a tightly contested game, with the final prediction leaning towards a 4-2 victory for Ottawa.
For those interested in prop bets, keep an eye on Aliaksei Protas from the Capitals, who has recently scored three goals and provided five assists in his last four games. On the Senators’ side, consider Brady Tkachuk, who is on a ten-game point streak, scoring 17 points during this span.
As the puck drops at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, fans can catch the action on RDS, TSN5, or MNMT.
