Find season long NHL odds on the Betway sportsbook. You'll find all the latest spreads, totals, money lines and parlays. Missed tip off? No problem, Betway also offers live betting. All your NHL betting needs are covered at our online sportsbook.

NHL – Game info - Capitals at Senators 10/18
2023 NFL Regular Season Game
Washington Capitals (1-1, 0-0 Away) vs Ottawa Senators (2-1, 2-0 Home)
Date: Thursday, Oct. 18
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Venue: Canadien Tire Centre in Kanata, Ontario
TV Channel: MNMT, RDS, RSN
Live Stream: ESPN+
Live Radio: 106.7 The Fan (Capitals) and TSN 1200 (Senators)

We’re now into the second week of the NHL season, and teams are beginning to show us their identities for 2023-24. Some teams that were bottom-feeders last season are starting to emerge as potential playoff contenders this year. One of those emerging teams is the Ottawa Senators, who went 39-35-8 last season but seem to have quickly turned the corner with their 2-1 start. While it’s still far too early to declare new NHL powerhouses or take anything away from teams not meeting expectations, it’s never too early to start winning.

Capitals vs. Senators Odds, Spread, Moneyline, Over/Under - NHL Betting Lines 10/18

Moneyline: Washington Capitals +150, Ottawa Senators -165
Spread: Capitals +1.5 (-170) , Senators -1.5 (+135)
Total: Over/Under 6.5 points

Capitals at Senators Preview

Last season’s Washington Capitals team finished 35-37-10 and did not even come close to making the playoffs. At this point, the Caps are nearing a rebuilding mode. Captain Alexander Ovechkin just turned 38, and veteran winger T.J. Oshie will be 37 in December. These two guys are clearly aging, but Washington needs them to carry their normally large share of the workload this season. If they aren’t up to it anymore, then the Caps will have to acknowledge that they are at a crossroads and begin to accept the idea of a rebuild. Center Dylan Strome, one of the team’s younger forwards at 26, came on strong last season for the Capitals, but he – like most of his teammates – has been quiet so far this year. Meanwhile, the Senators are off to a very hot start in 2023-24 at 2-1, having scored five goals in each of their last two games. This Ottawa team is raising expectations among its fans and looks intent on making a postseason appearance next spring. With two teams seemingly headed in opposite directions, let’s take a closer look at this matchup, which makes for an intriguing Wednesday night in Ottawa.

Capitals vs. Senators Prediction and Picks

The Washington Capitals are on the verge of a rebuild, and it’s sad to say – or hear others say -- that the great Alexander Ovechkin’s career is drawing toward a close. Hockey fans around the world would love to see Ovechkin compete for one last Stanley Cup. However, given the current state of the Capitals, a Stanley Cup seems like a pretty big reach for this season. Instead, Caps fans will just have to watch and cheer for Ovechkin to surpass Wayne Gretzky’s career goals record. Ovechkin is 72 goals behind Gretzky’s record of 894 and still needs at least two seasons to pass him. Things are looking brighter in Canada’s capital than in Washington, because the same Senators team that missed the postseason last year has started the 2023-24 season with great energy. Sens fans are really encouraged by their team’s 2-1 record, which already suggests that the Sens might make the playoffs for the first time since 2017. Ottawa is averaging 4.3 goals per game and is coming off convincing wins over the Philadelphia Flyers and Tampa Bay Lightning -- beating both of those teams by three goals. The Senators and Capitals played tight games against each other last year, but this year already seems different. The Caps are aging, and the Senators appear to have turned a corner. Give me the Senators on the puck line.

The Pick: Ottawa Senators -1.5 (+135)

The last time the Capitals and Senators played, Ottawa won 4-3 in overtime in a game that saw the teams combine for 68 shots on goal. Although there is no expectation the shots will be that high on Wednesday night, there should be plenty of scoring in this game. Through their first three games, the Ottawa Senators are 3-0 when it comes to exceeding the total-goals over/under line. The Capitals are 0-2 in that category over their first two games, cashing the under both times. The Senators’ red-hot offensive start to the season has fueled that perfect record when it comes to the over, and it will be the reason the over hits again on Wednesday night. Look for the Senators to continue to push the pace, while Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin tries to put the team on his back in an effort to get Washington’s second win of the season.

The Pick: Over 6.5 (-125)

Best NHL Player Prop Bets for Capitals vs. Senators on Oct 18th, 2023

Alex Ovechkin

Winger and future Hockey Hall of Famer Alex Ovechkin needs to start cranking up his intensity –- both for the Capitals’ sake and in his pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s NHL career goal-scoring record. Through his first two games Ovechkin has been quiet, going scoreless with only four shots on goal in the home opener and no shots on goal in the team’s most recent game against the Calgary Flames. Look for Ovechkin to get it going on Wednesday. Yes, the season is just getting started and there are still countless games to be played, but it’s go-time for Ovechkin and the Capitals. The last time he faced Ottawa on Dec. 29, 2022, Ovechkin had a goal and six shots in 4-3 overtime loss.

The Pick: Alex Ovechkin over 3.5 shots on goal (-134)

Best Same-Game Parlay Picks for Capitals vs. Senators: 3-Leg Parlay Pick (+450)

Alex Ovechkin

Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin remains one of hockey’s finest players at 38 years old. He has dominated opposing defenses throughout his career. Even now, toward the end of his career, he is still coming off a season in which he led his team in both goals and points. Showing no signs of slowing down -- and Wayne Gretzky’s NHL career goals record in sight – the ageless Ovechkin is just 73 goals away from making NHL history as the league’s all-time goal-scoring leader and could pass the Great One within the next two seasons. Through his first two games, Ovechkin had just four shots on goal (including none in his last outing against Calgary). With his focus on those next 70-plus goals, look for Ovechkin to get at least one goal closer to Gretzky on Wednesday night.

Leg-1 SGP Pick: Alex Ovechkin anytime goalscorer (+105)

Brady Tkachuk

Ottawa winger Brady Tkachuk is off to a red-hot start this season with four goals through two games. Tkachuk finished last season with 35 goals and 83 points to rank second on his team in both categories. Center Tim Stutzle, the team’s scoring leader in 2022-23, remains on the top line with Tkachuk and is still flourishing. Although Stutzle has helped Tkachuk with his fast start, Tkachuk’s individual effort has been special. He has the hot hand for Ottawa right now.

Leg-2 SGP Pick: Brady Tkachuk anytime goalscorer (+105)

Total Goals

Defensively, the Capitals and Senators both ranked in the middle of the pack when it came to goals allowed per game last season. So far in 2023-24, the over has hit in all three Senators games, while the under has hit in both Capitals games. Things will change for the Capitals on Wednesday night because the pace that Ottawa has been playing at this season will force the Capitals to take more shots on goal. Washington’s players know they must convert those shots or risk being run out of the rink in this one. Look for Ovechkin to get his first goal of the season, which by itself will be a momentum-booster for the Capitals.

Leg-3 SGP Pick: Over 6.5 goals (-130)

Odds are subject to change* 

NHL SGP @(+450): (Bet $100 to Win $550). Get the best odds at Betway Sportsbook.

WELCOME OFFER: Earn up to $250 on bonus bets with your first wager. Download Betway Sportsbook today!