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The Washington Capitals (1-1-0) and Ottawa Senators (2-1-0) meet Wednesday at Canada Tire Centre. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Capitals vs. Senators odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
After an ugly 4-0 loss in the opener at home Friday against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Capitals rebounded for a 3-2 shootout win Monday against the Calgary Flames as an underdog (+112). The Under has cashed in both games for Washington so far.
The Senators kicked off the season with a 5-3 road loss at the Carolina Hurricanes, although they played pretty well until the wheels fell off in the 3rd period. They came home and rebounded with a pair of 5-2 victories against the Philadelphia Flyers and Tampa Bay Lightning.
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Capitals at Senators odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:26 a.m. ET.
- 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)
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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.
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Capitals at Senators picks and predictions
Prediction
Senators 4, Capitals 2
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.
Puck line/Against the spread
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.
However, the Capitals +1.5 (-165) looked pretty sharp last time out, grabbing the 1st NHL win as a head coach for Spencer Carbery, so be careful.
Over/Under
UNDER 6.5 (-110) is worth a look, but go lightly.
The Senators are averaging 4.3 goals per game (GPG) in 3 outings, while allowing 3.0 GPG, and the Over is 2-0-1 on the young season.
However, the reason to go low is because the Capitals have cashed the Under in each of their outings, totaling 3 goals, while allowing 6 goals. Washington’s offense just isn’t hitting on all cylinders, and that will be a problem against a Sens team playing well at home.
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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