The Washington Capitals (23-10-3) and the Ottawa Senators (15-19-4) clash at Canadian Tire Centre for a 7 p.m. puck drop on Saturday. This is the second of three games between the teams of the season. The first matchup came last Saturday, where the Capitals shutout the Senators 4-0. The game will be broadcasted on NBCSN Washington and Sportsnet 360.
The Capitals are coming off a Thursday night 3-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. Scoring for the Capitals were Chandler Stephenson, T.J. Oshie and John Carlson
The Senators are coming off 6-3 loss to the New York Islanders on Friday night.
What to watch for in the Washington Capitals:
The Capitals continued where they left off before the holiday break. Braden Holtby was a huge part of Thursday night’s win. Holtby recorded 28 saves on 29 shots against, ending with a .966 save percentage. He was stellar in net, stopping breakaways from Hurricanes forward Micheal Ferland in the first period.
John Carlson collected a goal and an assist in Thursday’s game. This was his first goal since Oct. 22 in the game against the Vancouver Canucks. He received the primary assist in the goal that put the Capitals up 2-0 with his shot that deflected off Oshie and into the net. Carlson is one of the league’s best defenders and is a key part of the Capital’s defensive unit.
Alexander Ovechkin has not netted a goal in four consecutive games. He still leads the league with 29 goals, three goals ahead of second place Jeff Skinner of the Buffalo Sabres. Ovechkin was also named the captain of the Metropolitan Division team for the 2019 NHL All-Star Game. He has recorded two assists in his past two games, including one in last Saturday’s meeting between the Capitals and the Senators. He could step up his performance going into the All-Star break at the end of January, as the Capitals push to solidify their spot at the top of the Metropolitan Division.
Expected in net is Holtby again following a solid performance in Thursday night’s win.
What to watch for in the Ottawa Senators:
In Friday night’s game against the Islanders, Ottawa struggled defensively allowing four goals in the third period. Scoring for the Senators was Mark Stone, Matt Duchene and Cody Ceci.
Matt Duchene is a key part to the Senators offense. He has recorded 15 goals along with 22 assists this season. Duchene is the second line centerman who is paired with Ryan Dzingel and Zack Smith. Duchene has scored three goals in the past three games, two of them coming in their Dec. 21 game against the New Jersey Devils. He is going to be striving for his best in the next following the holiday break to prove his importance to the offensive power of the Senators.
Mark Stone scored first in Friday night’s game. He currently has 17 goals and 24 assists this season with the Senators. He has been a big playmaker for the Senators, recording four assists in the past five games.
Ottawa’s star goaltender, Craig Anderson, has been ruled out this weekend with a concussion. So that leaves the decision for head coach Guy Boucher to pick between Mike McKenna and Marcus Hogberg. McKenna played Friday night saving 33 of 38 shots faced, ending with an .868 save percentage. We could expect Hogberg to relieve McKenna in net and make his first career NHL start Saturday night at home against the Capitals.
Prediction: Capitals 3-Senators 0
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