Ottawa vs Washington Prediction 1 January 2026

Ottawa enter this matchup in an unusual state, having suffered three consecutive losses, two of which were at home. Despite this, the team displays organized play in the neutral zone, frequently collaborates in attack, and is active on the opponent's blue line. The Senators often generate a high number of shots on goal and adeptly capitalize on their opponents' mistakes, averaging around 3.0 goals per game.

They trail the coveted top eight by four points, but Ottawa struggles to close that gap. We anticipate this trend will continue in this game. Betting on the team right now is certainly quite risky.

Washington are showcasing a more consistent level of play-they know how to control the game's tempo, seize the initiative in the neutral zone, and capitalize on their leaders' strengths in attack. On average, the Capitals score about 3.2 goals per game, slightly higher than the hosts, and they boast a strong power-play conversion rate.

However, Washington's defense concedes around 3.0 goals per game, reflecting their tendency towards open hockey and quick transitions from both sides. This suggests that there could be plenty of goals in this matchup, including from the visitors.