The Ottawa Senators (2-1-0) and Washington Capitals (1-1-0) square off on Wednesday at Canada Tyre Centre. The puck drop is slated to occur at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+. The lines for the Capitals vs. Senators game at BetMGM Sportsbook are examined here, along with our professional NHL predictions and selections.
The Capitals overcame a disappointing 4-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins at home in the first game of the season to win 3-2 in a shootout on Monday against the Calgary Flames as an underdog (+112). Thus far, the Under has benefited Washington in both of these games.
The Senators played admirably until the third period, when they completely collapsed, losing 5-3 on the road against the Carolina Hurricanes to start the season. They defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning and Philadelphia Flyers 5-2 after returning home to recover.
Watch all of the NHL games, including exclusives, original programming, and out-of-market games for your team, on ESPN+. Now get ESPN+!
Senators at odds with capitals
supplied by BetMGM Sportsbook; for a complete list, visit the USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds website. Last updated at 6:26 a.m. ET on April 26.
Moneyline (ML): Capitals +140 (bet $100 to win $140) | Senators -165 (bet $165 to win $100)
Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Capitals +1.5 (-165) | Senators -1.5 (+140)
Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Capitals at Senators projected goalies
Darcy Kuemper (1-0-0, 1.85 GAA, .950 SV%) vs. Joonas Korpisalo (1-1-0, 3.53 GAA, .894 SV%)
Kuemper missed the opener against the Penguins due to the birth of his 1st child, but the new dad kicked aside 38 of the 40 shots he faced in his season debut Monday to snuff out the Flames in the 3-2 shootout win.
Kuemper went 1-1-1 with a 2.97 GAA and .920 SV% in 3 starts against the Senators last season. The Dec. 22 win was his most recent appearance in Ottawa, as he made 23 saves in a 3-2 OT win.
Korpisalo rebounded from his uneven performance in Raleigh, allowing just 2 goals on 24 shots in a 5-2 victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning in his 1st showing in front of the home fans on Sunday.
Korpisalo allowed 4 goals on 34 shots in a 4-3 OT loss against the Capitals on Jan. 31 as a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Capitals at Senators picks and predictions
The SENATORS (-165) are moderate favorites, but well worth the risk. Ottawa is playing very good hockey at home so far, including an impressive 5-2 win against the Lightning.
The Capitals (+140) are a tempting play now that Kuemper is back from a personal leave, but we haven’t seen him, or Washington, on the road yet. We know what we’re getting from the Sens at home, and it’s been pretty good.
The SENATORS -1.5 (+140) are worth a roll of the dice on the puck line, but go lightly. Ottawa has outscored the opposition 10-4 in 2 home games, covering the puck line in both outings as a favorite.
But be cautious—the Capitals +1.5 (-165) looked fairly good last game, winning Spencer Carbery’s first NHL victory as head coach.
Take a peek at UNDER 6.5 (-110) but proceed with caution.
After three games, the Senators are averaging 4.3 goals per game (GPG) while giving up 3.0 GPG. The Over is 2-0-1 so far this season.
The Capitals have cashed the Under in every game they have played, scoring 3 goals overall while giving up 6 goals, which is the reason to go low. The offence of Washington isn’t clicking at full tilt, which will be an issue when they play the Sens at home, who are a strong club.
