The Washington Capitals are excited to see two of their key playmakers return from injured reserve this week, as center Nicklas Backstrom and winger Tom Wilson returned on Sunday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Backstrom had undergone resurfacing surgery on his left him to deal with a long-term injury that had hampered his skating. The only other NHL player who had ever come back from that operation was Ed Jovanovski, back in 2014. Wilson returned after surgery to repair a torn left ACL, an injury that he suffered in the Caps’ playoff opener against the Florida Panthers back in May. Even without these two players, Washington is already in playoff position after a slow start, so expect the Caps to start climbing the standings and pushing for a divisional crown. Moving into the second week of January, don’t miss our top two NHL betting picks for Monday.
NHL News: Top Betting Picks for the Week
Monday, January 9
Nashville Predators (+1.5) at Ottawa Senators (O/U 6) (7:30 pm ET)
Nashville (18-14-6) brings a three-game winning streak north of the border, with points in five straight games (4-0-1). On Friday, they knocked off Washington, 3-2, as Ryan McDonagh netted the game-winner with 3:16 left in regulation. The Predators had built 1-0 and 2-1 leads, only to see the Caps knot things up, but they were able to hold off the pressure and get the win. Over their last nine games, they have only lost once in regulation (6-1-2). Thomas Novak and Yakov Trenin got the early goals. Kevin Lankinen made 30 saves to boost his record to 4-4-1. His GAA is a little high (2.81), but his save percentage (.918) is serviceable, suggesting that the defense has been letting him see a lot of shots. Juuse Saros (14-10-5, 2.77 GAA, .913 save percentage) should be in net on Monday. On the season, the Predators are 15th in scoring defense (3.00 goals permitted per game but just 25th in scoring (2.79 goals per game).
Ottawa (18-18-3) just finished a 3-1-0 homestand and are 4-2-0 in their last six, but their last game on Saturday featured zero defense, as they were routed at home, 8-4, by the Seattle Kraken. Tim Stutzle posted a hat trick for the Senators, but that was not nearly enough. Ottawa did rally from a 3-1 deficit to tie it at three early in the second period, but then the Kraken ran off four unanswered goals. Anton Forsberg (7-8-2, 3.04 GAA, .909 save percentage) gave up three goals on the first five shots he saw, so he was pulled after just 15 minutes. Cam Talbot (10-10-1, 2.89 GAA, .906 save percentage) came on in relief, but things did not get much better. The Senators are 21st in goals scored per game (3.05) and permit 3.18 (16th overall). Their power play (28.1%, third overall) is their bright spot, and their penalty kill (82.2%) ranks sixth. Despite that rout, Ottawa is still 5-1-1 in their last seven at home. Senators to win and cover.
Edmonton Oilers (+1.5) at L.A. Kings (O/U 6.5) (10:30 pm ET)
Edmonton (21-17-3) is riding its offense this year, as Connor McDavid and Leon Draisatl have combined for 55 goals and 83 assists to key the scoring. Zach Hyman, Kailer Yamamoto and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins have driven the lower lines, combining for 42 goals and 60 assists. Even the blueliners have stepped up, as Tyson Barrie and Darnell Nurse have chipped in 11 goals and 38 assists. The defense has been an issue, though, permitting 3.32 goals per game. Stuart Skinner has a .915 save percentage, but the barrage of shots he has been facing means that he has a somewhat high 2.88 GAA.
Los Angeles (23-14-6) is another offense-first team, putting up 3.21 goals per game. Kevin Fiala and Anze Kopitar have played well on the top line, combining for 24 goals and 50 assists, and the lower lines have Gabriel Vilardi, Viktor Arvidsson and Phillip Danault combining for 40 goals and 50 assists. Drew Doughty and Sean Durzi have chipped in seven goals and 38 assists combined from the blue line. The defense has permitted 3.37 goals per game, despite the solid effort of Phoenix Copley (2.52 GAA, .904 save percentage). Oilers to cover, take the over.
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