Washington vs Ottawa Prediction 18 March 2026
📣 Showdowns between the capital's hockey teams always capture the attention of fans. Yes, you guessed it right-at the Capital One Arena, Washington face off against Ottawa. Both teams are currently outside the playoff spots and are eager to improve their standings to break into the coveted top eight. How will this clash of direct Eastern Conference rivals end? Let's delve into it.
Head-to-Head
This season, the teams have already clashed twice, with both victories going to the Senators (7-1; 4-3). The October matchup was marked by a flurry of penalties, as tensions ran high. Ottawa capitalized on their power-play opportunities, while Washington only managed a consolation goal from defenseman Van Riemsdyk in the third period. In the January game, the Capitals played with more confidence, but ultimately failed to keep track of Swedish forward Zetterlund in the closing moments. Looking at their overall head-to-head record, the Capitals hold a slight edge with 24 wins compared to the Canadian team's 18.
Head-to-head statistics Washington - Ottawa
Washington Capitals Team Overview
Washington continue to alternate between wins and losses. In their last five games, the American team have secured only two victories. In a recent back-to-back game against Buffalo, Chychrun and company showed resilience, clinching a late win over the Sabres (2-1). On average, Washington score 3.12 goals per game, increasing that average to 3.31 goals when playing at home. However, their defense, led by Martin Fehervary, often allows opponents to find the back of the net, conceding an average of 2.99 goals per game. Despite their struggles on the road, Washington perform impressively on home ice; Spencer Carbery's squad have avoided regulation losses in seven of their last eight home games. The Capitals currently have 74 points, trailing the playoff zone by seven points.
Match Results: Washington Capitals
Ottawa Senators Team Overview
Ottawa are in fine form, boasting four wins in their last five outings. During their home stretch, the Senators picked up 4 points, narrowly falling to Montreal (2-3) in a hard-fought battle. Interestingly, they outperformed the Quebec side in nearly every metric. Zub and his defensive partners couldn't contain Russian forward Ivan Demidov in the third period, leaving them without points. On average, the Canadian team scores 3.41 goals per game while conceding 3.11 goals per match. Ottawa have two games in hand over Washington, and their gap from the eighth spot is not insurmountable, standing at just 4 points. However, the loss of key defensemen Jensen and Sanderson complicates matters. Notably, Jensen spent six seasons with the Capitals and has already haunted his former team earlier this season.
Match Results: Ottawa Senators
🏒 Projected Lineups
Washington: Thompson - Chychrun, van Riemsdyk - Beauvillier, Strome, Ovechkin
Ottawa: Ullmark - Chabot, Zub - Batherson, Stützle, Giroux
🥅 Goaltenders
This season, Washington relies on the goaltending duo of Thompson-Lindgren. Last regular season, Logan Thompson appeared in 43 games for the Capitals, boasting a goals-against average (GAA) of 2.49. Currently, Thompson maintains his solid form with a similar GAA of 2.42.
The Senators count on the Ullmark-Reimer tandem between the pipes. Linus Ullmark played 38 games for Ottawa and recorded a less-than-stellar GAA of 2.81. Recently, the Swede has been performing reasonably well, though he occasionally struggles to maintain a save percentage above 90%.
⭐ Editorial Prediction
The clash between direct competitors in the East won't be an easy ride for either team. Washington have been consistent on home ice, avoiding regulation losses in 7 of their last 8 games. Meanwhile, Ottawa are in fine form, securing four wins in their last five outings. We lean towards the Capitals and suggest betting on Washington's double chance (1X). The absence of key defensemen Sanderson and Jensen is significant, and perhaps Alexander Ovechkin can exploit the gaps in the Canadian defense to reach his thousandth goal in the upcoming match.No comments
Betting Tips: Washington Capitals - Ottawa Senators
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