Game Details
The Washington Capitals (21-14-5) will face the Ottawa Senators (18-15-5) in an Eastern Conference matchup. Puckdrop is scheduled for 1:00 PM ET.
It will take place at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, the home arena of the Senators.
Broadcast options include ESPN+ for national coverage.
This is the second meeting of the season, with Ottawa winning the first 7-1 on October 25, 2025.
Recent Team Forms
The Capitals are in strong form, winning their last game 6-3 against the New York Rangers on December 31, 2025, extending a positive streak.
Over their last 10 games, Washington has gone 6-3-1, averaging 3.4 goals per game while allowing 2.9. Their power play has been effective at 22.5%, and they’ve shown defensive resilience, ranking top-10 in goals against.
The Senators have been inconsistent, losing their last game 5-7 to the Toronto Maple Leafs and entering on a three-game skid.
In their last 10, Ottawa is 4-5-1, scoring 3.2 goals per game but conceding 3.8. Their penalty kill ranks mid-pack, but offensive flashes from young stars have kept them competitive in home games.
| Team | Last 5 Games | Streak | GPG (Last 10) | GA/G (Last 10) |
| Washington Capitals | W-L-W-W-OTL | W1 | 3.4 | 2.9 |
| Ottawa Senators | L-L-L-W-W | L3 | 3.2 | 3.8 |
Injury Report
The Capitals are missing key forward Pierre-Luc Dubois, who is out indefinitely with an abdomen injury sustained in early November.
No other major injuries are reported, though the team is monitoring minor ailments post their recent win.
For the Senators, Shane Pinto recently returned from a 10-game absence due to a lower-body injury and is expected to play.
The team has no other significant absences listed, with their roster largely healthy heading into the matchup.
| Team | Player | Status | Injury/Details |
| Washington Capitals | Pierre-Luc Dubois | Out | Abdomen (Indefinite) |
| Ottawa Senators | Shane Pinto | Available | Lower Body (Returned) |
Key Player Matchups
This game features compelling battles, particularly in the forward lines and goaltending.
Tom Wilson (Capitals) vs. Brady Tkachuk (Senators): Wilson, leading Washington with 21 goals and 40 points, brings physicality and scoring.
He’ll face Tkachuk, Ottawa’s captain known for his grit and offensive contributions (top in team hits and goals), in a high-energy clash that could dictate momentum.
Dylan Strome (Capitals) vs. Tim Stutzle (Senators): Strome leads the Caps in assists (23) and points in recent games.
Stutzle, Ottawa’s playmaker with speed and vision, will test Washington’s defensive zone coverage in transition plays.
Logan Thompson (Capitals) vs. Leevi Merilainen (Senators): Thompson is expected to start for Washington, coming off a strong performance with a .912 save percentage.
Merilainen, likely in net for Ottawa, faces a tough test against the Caps’ potent attack.
Washington’s veteran depth gives them edges in most matchups, but Ottawa’s home energy could spark upsets.
Series History
The Capitals hold a historical edge, with a 62-49 all-time record against the Senators in regular-season games.
At Canadian Tire Centre, Washington is competitive on the road. Recently, the series has been split, with the Caps going 4-3-3 in the last 10 meetings.
Ottawa dominated the first matchup this season 7-1 on October 25, 2025, but Washington has won 10 straight streaks historically in stretches.
Betting Trends
Washington is 21-19 against the spread (ATS) overall and 10-13 ATS on the road, while Ottawa is 17-21 ATS but 10-9 ATS at home.
The over has hit in 6 of the last 10 head-to-head games, often due to high-scoring outbursts, but recent trends show unders in Senators home games.
Game Odds
Washington Capitals 6.5
Ottawa Senators – 142
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, December 31, 2025
