PPG Paints Arena plays host to an Eastern Conference showdown as the Pittsburgh Penguins take on the visiting Ottawa Senators. AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh will broadcast the game, and the opening face-off is at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, February 13.
Ottawa Senators vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Odds
Pittsburgh enters the game as the noticeable favorite with a -265 moneyline. The line for Ottawa sits at +225, and the oddsmakers have put the Over/Under (O/U) at an even 6 goals. The odds for betting the total sit at -110 money on the over and -110 for the under.
Losing 2.4 units for moneyline bettors, the Penguins are 31-26 straight up (SU) overall this year. That winning percentage, ranked 2nd in the Metropolitan Division in this young season, is a regression from the 50-32 record that the team managed during the 2016-17 season campaign. Of its 57 games this season, 29 have gone over the total, while 26 have gone under and just two have pushed. This year, the team is 20-8 SU at home.
Pittsburgh currently has the second-strongest power-play unit in the NHL, as it’s converted on 26.3 percent of their extra-man opportunities this season. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated fifth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 83.1 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, Pittsburgh has been penalized 4.2 times per game overall this season, 3.6 per game over its past five outings total, and 4.4 per game over its last five at home. The teams had to kill penalties for just 8.3 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, in total.
With a .906 save percentage and 25.6 saves per game, Matt Murray (21 wins, 15 losses, and two OT losses) has been the top option in goal for the Penguins this year. If they decide to give him a rest, however, it may turn to Tristan Jarry (10-8-8 record, .919 save percentage, 2.44 goals against average).
Phil Kessel and Evgeni Malkin will both spearhead the attack for the Penguins. Kessel (65 points) is up to 24 goals and 41 assists and has recorded two or more points in 17 different games this year. Malkin has 30 goals and 33 assists to his credit and has recorded a point in 37 games.
On the other side of the rink, Ottawa is 19-35 straight up (SU) and has lost 16.3 units for moneyline bettors thus far. A total of 28 of its games have gone over the total, while 26 have gone under and none have pushed. Ottawa’s 7-19 SU as the road team this season.
Ottawa has converted on just 16.2 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s ranked 28th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 27th overall and it’s successfully killed off 75.0 percent of all opponent power plays.
Ottawa’s players have been whistled for penalties 3.7 times per game in total this season, and 4.6 per game over their last five match ups. The team has had to defend opponent power plays just 7.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Craig Anderson (3.21 goals against average and .902 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Ottawa. Anderson is averaging 27.4 saves per game and has 16 wins, 24 losses, and five OT losses to his credit.
Mark Stone (18 goals, 28 assists) has been one of the most vital offensive playmakers for the visiting Senators.
Ottawa Senators vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Predictions
Free NHL Tip: SU Winner – Penguins, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- Ottawa is 2-5 in games decided by a shootout this season while Pittsburgh is 2-2 in shootouts.
- The total has gone over in three of Pittsburgh’s last five outings.
- Ottawa has managed 27.0 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Pittsburgh has been attempting 36.0 shots per game over its last five home outings.
- Over Ottawa’s last ten games, five of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 1-4 in those games).
- This game features two of the tougher defenses in the league. Ottawa skaters have accounted for the leagues eighth-most hits per game (24.1) and the Penguins have recorded the fifth-most (24.7).
