Washington Capitals vs Ottawa Senators Prediction, 1/1/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Washington Capitals vs Ottawa Senators

Date: Thursday, January 1, 2026

Location: Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON

TV: TSN5

Odds/Point Spread: Capitals (-152) Senators (+126)

Canadian Tire Centre is where the Ottawa Senators (18-14-5) will go up against the Washington Capitals (20-13-5) on Thursday. The moneyline on this contest has Washington at -152 while Ottawa opens at +126. The total comes in at 6.

The Washington Capitals were on the right side of the scoreboard with a 4-3 victory over the Devils in their previous game. The Capitals had a impressive offensive outing in the victory. For the outing, they converted 4 out of the 33 shots they tried. They also had 1 power play opportunity but weren't able to net one. Washington earned 6 penalty mins in this game.

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When talking about their goal scoring prowess, the Washington Capitals have racked up 121 goals (10th in the National Hockey League) so far this season and have allowed 102. For the current campaign, they have recorded 45 points and their points percentage comes in at .592. Washington comes into tonight with 106 power play chances and they have notched 16 goals out of those attempts, giving them a percentage of 15.09%. At even strength, the Capitals have surrendered 74 goals while having 105 on offense. Washington has tried 1,116 shots and has a shot percentage of 10.8%. The Capitals thus far have had 1,052 shots tried against them and hold a save percentage of .903. Washington Capitals opponents have 118 power play tries (13th in the NHL) and have scored 28 goals in those attempts.

Patrolling the crease for the game will be Charlie Lindgren. Lindgren has participated in 161 matchups over the course of his pro hockey career. He has accumulated a win-loss mark of 78-57-17 and he has started in 151 games. Opponents have notched 430 goals against Lindgren in his pro career and his goals against rate is 2.85. Lindgren has seen 4,478 shot attempts taken against him and has accrued 4,048 total saves. He has a save percentage of .904 for his 7,926 mins played. For his career, Lindgren has accrued 80 quality starts and his quality starts percentage sits at .530.

In their last outing, Ottawa opposed the Maple Leafs in a matchup where the Senators went home in defeat by a score of 7-5. The Senators had 5 goals out of the 31 shots on goal they took. They had 1 power play chance in this game but were not able to net one.

Over the course of the season, the Ottawa Senators have earned a total of 121 goals, 41 points, as well as a points percentage of .554. They have granted a total of 120 goals to be scored by way of 90 goals at even strength and 30 goals while they had less men on the ice. The Senators are sitting with 90 goals at even strength and 31 goals (3rd in the league) while having more men on the ice. They have earned 120 power play opportunities and they have a power play rate of 25.83%. Ottawa has attempted 1,034 shots (22nd in the NHL) and has accumulated a shot percentage of 11.70%, while allowing the other team 946 shots. They have a penalty kill rate of 70.59% on their oppositions 102 power play opportunities, and their save percentage currently sits at 87.3%.

Across the rink you will find Leevi Merilainen defending the goal. He has a tally of 537 saves out of 597 shots attempted against him, which gives him a save % of .899. Merilainen is the owner of a career mark of 12-10-2 and has been in net for 24 games. He has made the start in 22 contests and has played 765 minutes. Merilainen's quality start rate comes in at 50.0% and he has 11 quality starts in his pro career. Teams are averaging 2.73 goals/game and he has allowed 60 goals in total.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Tony's Pick: Take Washington (-152)

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