Expect goals galore in the first NHL game of 2026. Free Capitals vs. Senators predictions and NHL picks for January 1.
The NHL rings in the New Year with a matinee between the Ottawa Senators and Washington Capitals as the hosts look to snap a three-game losing streak.will both look to turn a new page in the new year, with Ottawa ending 2025 on a three-game losing skid and Washington winning just three of its last 10 contests.
Team defense has ailed both clubs during their cold streaks, which is why I’m expecting the first game of 2026 to be another high-scoring battle. With Linus Ullmark away from the team, the Senators will likely turn to Leevi Merilainen, who owns an .869 SV% and 3.51 GAA. The Capitals’ likely starter, Logan Thompson, has also given up 4+ goals in three of his last four starts. The Caps have cashed the Over in four straight games, with every one of those contests featuring at least seven total goals. Meanwhile, the Sens have hit the Over in three of their last five, averaging eight total goals per game during that span.leads the Senators with 19 tallies and just had a four-game goal streak snapped on Monday. The Sens star has eight goals in his last 10 games and is holding a hot stick this season, converting on just under 20% of his shots.leads all defensemen in the NHL with 138 shots on net and has recorded Over 2.5 shots in three straight games and five of his last six. : Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links. After writing a few pieces for the Varsity newspaper during his time at the University of Toronto, Chris Faria's career in sports truly began in 2019 when he attended the sports journalism program at Centennial College. Since then, he’s covered virtually every sport under the sun, having written for several different outlets including Covers and the Canadian Olympic Committee. A lifelong hockey fan and player, Chris currently works full-time for the National Hockey League. Outside of hockey, he’s also an avid poker player and mixed martial arts fan, which is coincidentally his favorite sport to bet on – usually in the form of a parlay on bet365. The main lesson he’s learned from years of betting is bankroll management:"Never bet more than you’re comfortable losing and never chase your losses."NHL Player Props & Best Bets for Today, January 1: Rantanen Starts New Year on Right FootBruins vs Oilers Prediction, Picks & Same-Game Parlay for Tonight’s NHL GameCopyright © 1995 - 2026 CS Media Limited All Rights Reserved. If you choose to make use of any information on this website including online sports betting services from any websites that may be featured on this website, we strongly recommend that you carefully check your local laws before doing so.It is your sole responsibility to understand your local laws and observe them strictly.Covers does not provide any advice or guidance as to the legality of online sports betting or other online gambling activities within your jurisdiction and you are responsible for complying with laws that are applicable to you in your relevant locality.Covers disclaims all liability associated with your use of this website and use of any information contained on it.As a condition of using this website, you agree to hold the owner of this website harmless from any claims arising from your use of any services on any third party website that may be featured by Covers.
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