NHL Hockey Betting: Ottawa Senators at Washington Capitals
The Ottawa Senators will try to get back on the winning track on Sunday evening as they head to the District of Columbia to take on the Washington Capitals. The Sens are currently tied with the Boston Bruins for second place in the Atlantic Division but both teams have Tampa Bay on their heels just 2 points back with Florida just 4 points back and Toronto five back. The Senators have been ‘treading water’ of late with a 5-3-2 record in their last ten games and have lost two straight. They’re six points behind first place Montreal who hasn’t been playing particularly well of late either (4-3-3 L10). This would be a great opportunity for the Senators to cut into that lead but they have to win some games.
The Capitals are in fourth place in the Metropolitan Division but are starting to ’round into form’ with a 6-2-2 record in their last 10 games. The insanely hot Columbus Blue Jackets (15 straight wins) have a one point lead over the Pittsburgh Penguins atop the division and are three ahead of the New York Rangers who are in third place. The Capitals are next six points back of New York and 9 points back of Columbus. All four of the top teams in the division are playing well–the Penguins are 7-1-2 in their last 10 while the Rangers are 7-3-0.
Ottawa’s biggest problem right now is goaltending, or more specifically lack thereof. Starter Craig Anderson is out indefinitely as his wife battles cancer and backup Andrew Hammond is out indefinitely with a groin injury. That leaves former Montreal backup Mike Condon as the starter for the time being. Condon has already had one ‘baptism by fire’ last year when he had to take over in Montreal for Carey Price and has responded well so far. Condon has a record of 8-4-3 with a 2.37 goals against average and a 0.917 save percentage along with two shutouts. The Caps will start Braden Holtby who is 15-8-4 with a 2.02 goals against average and a 0.928 save percentage. Caps have won 5 of the last 6 head to head including the last three in DC. They swept the season series last year winning all three games by a combined margin of 13-4.
BET WASHINGTON CAPITALS -180 OVER OTTAWA SENATORS
