Categories
NHL

Free NHL Pick: Senators vs. Capitals Betting Lines & Preview

Senators vs Capitals Pick

NHL Betting action sees the Ottawa Senators taking on the Washington Capitals on Monday December 22nd at Verizon Center. Cappers Picks provides free NHL handicapping tips all season long.

The Senators (14-13-6) have shown that, apart from big-moneyed Bobby Ryan and superstar (yet somewhat regressing) defenseman Erik Karlsson, they are in rebuild mode.

NHL Predictions

Ottawa vs Washington
Date/Time: Monday, Dec. 22 2014, 7 pm EST
Venue: Verizon Center, Washington DC
Broadcast: RSN (Canada: Rogers Sportsnet)
Ottawa +165, Washington -200
Over/Under: 5.5
***2014 BONUSES***
[dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]

Click here to view today’s… NHL Matchup Angles | NHL Insider Gambling Preview

Their firing of former Jack Adams winner Paul MacLean said as much.

The slumping Sens travel to America’s capital to take on DC’s hockey club on Monday night. They’ll need to be wary of the league’s best Russian player – The “Great Eight” – Alex Ovechkin, as he’s been on a goal-scoring tear along with center Nicklas Backstrom.

Washington’s 38 points have it tied with the New York Rangers for third in the Metropolitan division. The Caps have been playing solid hockey thanks to a scorching power-play unit, its 25.3% conversion rate ranks second in the NHL.

[dfads params=’groups=64160&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]

The Capitals are coming off a nice 4-0 drubbing of the New Jersey Devils; the Senators coming to town on Monday night could be low-hanging fruit for a team that is clicking.

DC’s hockey club seems to perennially underachieve, though fans cannot complain lately, as the Caps have won six of their last eight. Washington has a dismal penalty kill and a goalie in Braden Holtby is prone to an off night, so the Capitals can be had.

Ottawa, meanwhile, needs to figure out its identity. The past couple of seasons, the Sens have been a threat with their goaltending duo of Craig Anderson and Robin Lehner. The netminding in 2014-15 hasn’t been quite up to snuff.

[dfads params=’groups=16&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]

Ryan is a stud and there’s other useful young talent on the roster (we’re looking your way, Kyle Turris and Mike Hoffman), but a team comprised largely of former AHLers takes a while to congeal.

It can work though, and the Sens probably shouldn’t deviate from their plan – just look at how the Detroit Red Wings do business.

Ovie’s 15 goals lead the team, but Washington is blessed with players like Joel Ward and Troy Brouwer, grinders who also have scoring touch – Ward and Brouwer have 10 goals apiece.

Twenty-four year old John Carlson is emerging as an elite blueliner in the league. There’s lots more defensive talent in the person of Mike Green and Matt Niskanen.

Ultimately, it should be a tall order for the visiting Senators. Losing character guys like Chris Neil and Marc Methot to injury doesn’t help their prospects.

[dfads params=’groups=64161&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]

Veterans like David Legwand and Clarke MacArthur must lead by example and show the young Sens how to get back to being a competitive hockey club.

4* FREE NHL Play: Washington 4, Ottawa 3

Look for the team from Canada’s capital to come into town and lose to the team from USA’s capital.

Take the OVER

CappersPicks.com NHL Betting and gambling site provides the BEST Online hockey predictions for you to bet on for the NHL hockey season! Stick with us all season long!

[dfads params=’groups=63706&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]

By James Hayes

James has been naming every player on the EA Sports video game rosters for half a decade now, he’s finally putting his knowledge to better use writing for us here at CappersPicks.com. Your comments are welcome below…Give Us Your Take!