Two clubs that split their season series 1-1 last year, the Chicago Blackhawks and the Ottawa Senators face off at Canadian Tire Centre in an East-West showdown. NBC Sports Chicago will air the matchup, and the opening face-off is at 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 9.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Ottawa Senators Odds
The money line for each side is currently set at an identical -110, and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals (-125 over, +105 under).
Chicago is 20-21 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.6 units for moneyline bettors this year. 21 of its matches have gone under the total, while 18 have gone over and just two have pushed. The Hawks are 9-13 SU as the road team in 2017-18.
Chicago has converted on just 14.5 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that places them in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. Additionally, its penalty kill is ranked 17th overall, and it has successfully killed off 80.8 percent of all penalties.
For the team as a whole, the Hawks have been sent to the penalty box 3.7 times per game this season, and 2.8 per game over its past five outings. The teams been forced to kill penalties just 8.1 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 27.9 saves per game with a .929 save percentage, Corey Crawford (16-12-2) has been the primary option in goal for Chicago this season. If Chicago decides to rest him, however, head coach Joel Quenneville could turn to Anton Forsberg (3-10-3 record, .909 save percentage, 3.10 goals against average).
The visiting Blackhawks have relied on Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews this season. Kane (40 points) is up to 17 goals and 23 assists, and has recorded two or more points 11 times. Toews has 12 goals and 17 assists to his name, and has logged at least one point in 20 games.
On the other bench, Ottawa is 14-26 straight up (SU) and has lost 14.8 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 40 regular season matches, 21 of its games have gone over the total, while 19 have gone under and none have pushed. The teams 9-12 SU at home this season.
The Senators have converted on just 15.8 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that places them in the bottom 5 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 28th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 76.1 percent of all penalties.
Senators players have been whistled for penalties 3.7 times per game in total this season, and 4.8 per game over their last five home outings. The teams had to stave off opponent power plays 8.8 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Craig Anderson (26.3 saves per game) has been the primary netminder in goal for the Senators. Anderson has 12 wins, 18 losses, and five overtime losses to his credit and has registered a pedestrian 3.14 goals against average and a subpar .899 save percentage this year.
The home team will be led on offense by Mark Stone (17 goals, 23 assists).
Chicago Blackhawks at Ottawa Senators Betting Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Senators, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- 42.9 percent of Ottawa’s wins have come by two or more goals (the team is 6-12 overall in such games) while 70.0 percent of Chicago’s wins have come by two goals or more (14-12 overall in such games).
- Power-play chances could prove to be extremely important tonight. The Blackhawks are 15-10 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 14-12 in games where they serve fewer than 10 penalty minutes, in total. The Senators are 6-14 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 9-15 when total penalty minutes are in the single digits.
- Ottawa (1-5 in shootouts) has more shootout experience coming into this one. Chicago fell short in its only shootout this season.
- The over has hit in three of Ottawa’s last five outings.
- Ottawa has averaged 10.0 giveaways over its last five home games, right in line with its season average of 10.2 giveaways per game (ranked 20th overall).
- Chicago is ranked 12th this season with 9.1 giveaways per game. That figure has trended lower lately, however, as the teams averaged 8.0 giveaways over its last 10 games and 7.4 giveaways over its last five.
- The Senators this season have recorded the seventh-most hits in the NHL (23.4 per game), but that average has jumped up to 31.8 over their past five home outings.
