The Ottawa Senators (30-25-4) head to Washington to face the Capitals (38-14-8) in an Eastern Conference battle. Ottawa is coming off a 5-3 win against San Jose, snapping a three-game losing streak. Washington, on the other hand, has lost three straight, most recently falling 3-1 to Tampa Bay. With both teams looking to build momentum, this should be a highly competitive matchup. Hit the ice running with our NHL picks.

Ottawa has been inconsistent, but the offense showed up against San Jose, with Brady Tkachuk netting a goal and Tim Stutzle adding two assists. The Senators' scoring leader, Stutzle, has 61 points this season, while Tkachuk leads in goals with 22. Despite ranking in the bottom half of the league with 2.80 goals per game, the power play has been solid at 23.2%. However, injuries could impact them, with Tkachuk, Josh Norris, and Jake Sanderson all listed as day-to-day.

Defensively, Ottawa has struggled, allowing 2.83 goals per game and a penalty kill sitting at just 77.1%. Goaltending has been a weak spot, with Linus Ullmark posting a 2.67 GAA and Anton Forsberg at 2.82. The Senators have allowed at least four goals in four of the last five games, which does not bode well against a Capitals offense averaging 3.58 goals per game.

Washington is in a rare slump, dropping three straight at home. Dylan Strome has stepped up with a team-high 59 points. Strome’s 41 assists have helped keep the offense rolling, while T.J. Oshie and Tom Wilson (questionable) provide secondary scoring. The Capitals have been efficient on the power play, converting at 23.7%. Shooting efficiency is strong, despite ranking near the bottom in shot attempts per game.

Defensively, Washington has been better than Ottawa, allowing 2.57 goals per game and an 82.0% penalty kill. Goaltending has been a major strength, with Logan Thompson boasting a stellar 2.28 GAA and .919 save percentage. Even with Charlie Lindgren on injured reserve, Thompson gives Washington a clear edge in net. The Capitals' ability to limit shots against (27.3 per game) will be key in shutting down Ottawa’s attack.

MLB Monday Free Picks & Predictions- 8/7/23 | Ballin' Out with Tim Earle