The Ottawa Senators, fueled by Mark Stone and Matt Duchene, are ready to take the ice against Sidney Crosby, Phil Kessel, and the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena in an Eastern Conference tilt. The first puck will drop at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, February 1, and it can be caught live on AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh.
Ottawa Senators vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Odds
The Penguins (-245) are currently the favorite over the Senators (+205), and oddsmakers have put the Over/Under (O/U) at 7 goals. The odds for betting the total sit at -135 for the over and +115 for the under.
Producing -10.9 units for moneyline gamblers, Pittsburgh is 27-23 straight up (SU) overall thus far. That winning percentage, the third-best in the Metropolitan Division in this young season, isn’t too far off from to the 47-35 record the team posted during last year’s regular season campaign. Through 50 regular season matches, 24 of its games have gone over the total, while 21 have gone under and just five have pushed. This year, the team’s 14-11 SU at home.
The Penguins have converted on 24.3 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that places them in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated ninth overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 82.9 percent of all penalties.
With a .917 save percentage and 26.9 saves per game, Casey DeSmith (12-16-4) has been the top option in goal for the Pens this season. If the Pens, however, decide to rest him, the team could go with Matt Murray (15-9-9 record, .910 save percentage, 2.96 goals against average).
Ottawa has lost 1.0 unit for bettors taking the moneyline thus far and is currently 19-31 straight up (SU). Through 50 regular season outings, 29 of its games have gone over the total, while 17 have gone under the total and just four have pushed. As the road team this season, the Senators are 7-17 SU.
The Senators have converted on 20.3 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 29th overall and it’s successfully defended 75.6 percent of all penalties.
Craig Anderson (3.55 goals against average and .906 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Ottawa. Anderson is averaging 32.0 saves per game and owns a 14-19-3 record.
Ottawa Senators at Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Predictions
Prediction: SU Winner – Penguins, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- Over Ottawa’s last ten games, four of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 3-1 in those games).
- The Penguins this season have dished out the most hits per game in the NHL (29.1).
