Washington Capitals vs. Ottawa Senators Preview: Capitals Open Road Trip Against Surging Senators
By Brian Hradsky
Maryland Sports Blog | November 10, 2026 | NHL Game Preview
The Washington Capitals begin an important two-game road trip Tuesday night when they visit the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre. Washington enters the matchup with a 9-6-0 record after defeating the Florida Panthers 4-3 on Saturday, while Ottawa has opened the season at 11-6-1. The Capitals will attempt to build momentum against a Senators team that has collected points consistently throughout the opening six weeks. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. Eastern.
Capitals Looking to Build Momentum
Washington has spent much of the early season playing at Capital One Arena, with 11 of its first 15 games taking place at home. That schedule changes dramatically beginning Tuesday, as the Capitals will play 11 of their next 16 games away from Washington. Head coach Spencer Carbery believes his team’s five-on-five performance has improved despite some inconsistent results. The challenge now becomes translating those improvements into victories on the road.
Alex Tuch has emerged as a major offensive contributor following his offseason arrival, leading Washington with 11 goals through 15 games. His production has helped provide additional scoring alongside established offensive threats Alex Ovechkin, Dylan Strome and Tom Wilson. Washington will need contributions throughout its lineup against an Ottawa team that has been difficult to defeat in regulation. Strong puck management and sustained offensive-zone pressure should be priorities for the Capitals.
Ottawa Presents a Difficult Challenge
The Senators have started the 2026-27 season strongly despite significant changes to their roster, including the offseason departure of former captain Brady Tkachuk. Ottawa enters Tuesday following consecutive victories, including a 4-2 win over Utah on Saturday. The Senators have demonstrated an ability to respond to losses, having avoided consecutive games without earning a standings point. Their consistency makes them a dangerous opponent for a Washington team trying to establish a winning streak.
Goaltender Linus Ullmark could be Ottawa’s biggest advantage entering the matchup. Ullmark has returned from injured reserve after dealing with a lower-body injury and has produced outstanding numbers when healthy. Through eight starts, he owns a 7-1-0 record, a 1.33 goals-against average and a .945 save percentage. Washington must generate traffic around the crease and capitalize on second-chance opportunities to challenge the Senators’ goaltending.
Capitals Injury Updates and Projected Lineup
Washington recalled defenseman Justin Holl from the Hershey Bears ahead of the road trip, providing additional defensive depth. Rasmus Sandin has resumed practicing with teammates following offseason knee surgery but will not play against Ottawa or New Jersey. Vincent Desharnais continues recovering from an appendectomy and remains unavailable. The Capitals will rely on their available defensemen to limit Ottawa’s scoring opportunities.
Washington’s projected forward combinations include Tuch alongside Strome and Jordan Kyrou, with Aliaksei Protas, Pierre-Luc Dubois and Wilson forming another scoring line. Ovechkin is projected to skate with Justin Sourdif and Anthony Beauvillier, while Boone Jenner, Ilya Protas and Ryan Leonard complete the projected forward group. Logan Thompson is projected to start in goal, although the team has not confirmed the assignment. The lineup remains subject to changes before puck drop.
Three Keys to Victory for Washington
- Generate quality scoring opportunities. Ottawa’s goaltending has been outstanding, making rebounds, screens and sustained pressure essential.
- Control the neutral zone. Washington must limit turnovers and prevent Ottawa from generating dangerous transition opportunities.
- Stay disciplined defensively. Avoiding unnecessary penalties and maintaining defensive coverage will help Washington control the game’s tempo.
Brian’s Take: Capitals Face an Important Early-Season Test
Washington’s victory over Florida provided an encouraging response after a difficult stretch of results. The Capitals have enough offensive talent to compete with Ottawa, but their success will depend on defensive consistency and goaltending. Tuch’s strong start has added another dangerous scoring option, while Ovechkin remains capable of changing a game with one opportunity. Facing a Senators team with an 11-6-1 record represents an excellent measuring stick for Washington.
The biggest concern is Ottawa’s ability to protect leads behind Ullmark. Washington cannot afford another inconsistent opening period or extended stretches without generating quality scoring chances. If the Capitals establish their forecheck early and maintain disciplined defensive positioning, they have a realistic opportunity to earn two important road points. Expect a competitive matchup that could remain undecided until the final period.
Prediction: Capitals 3, Senators 2.
