The Ottawa Senators face the Pittsburgh Penguins with both teams looking to improve on promising seasons. The Senators have a 19-18-3 record and four losses in a row have them in fifth place in the Atlantic Division while the Penguins are 18-17-8 and in fifth place in the Metropolitan Division. Who will win this game? Check out our Senators vs Penguins prediction!
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Ottawa has fallen apart on offense
The Senators are having a rocky season with their offense unraveling and scoring only 2.85 goals per game with only four goals in the last four games. Tim Stutzle, Brady Tkachuk, and Drake Batherson have scored 43 goals and 72 assists to lead the top two lines but the rest of the offense has struggled. only six skaters have seven goals or more and opponents can limit the top-heavy offense as a result.
The offense has struggled but the defense has been a bright spot, allowing only 2.93 goals per game. Thomas Chabot and Nick Jensen have combined for 12.7 defensive point shares while Jake Sanderson and Tyler Kleven have combined for 8.5 defensive point shares to add depth to the unit. The hope is that with Linus Ullmark out with an injury backup Anton Forsberg improves as he's struggled with a .883 save percentage and a 3.10 goals-against average on 350 shots with -6.1 goals saved above average.
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Penguins are led by a great offense
The Penguins are having a promising season behind an offense that is scoring 3.07 goals per game with eight goals in the last two games. Sidney Crosby and Rickard Rakell have scored 33 goals and 50 assists but the rest of the offense has also stepped up. Bryan Rust, Evgeni Malkin, and Michael Bunting have combined for 37 goals and 52 assists while defensemen Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang have added 11 goals and 36 assists from the point to open up the offense.
The offense has stepped up but the defense has been awful, allowing 3.60 goals per game with 18 goals in the last five games. Erik Karlsson and Marcus Pettersson have combined for 11.2 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net with ease. In addition, goaltender Tristan Jarry has been awful with a .887 save percentage and a 3.43 goals-against average on 557 shots with -7.5 goals saved above average.
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Best Bets for Ottawa Senators vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Full-Game Side Bet
Insiders Status:
The Senators look to snap their losing streak but the Penguins look to step up on their home ice and take over this game. The Penguins, who average 3.07 goals per game, should find the back of the net at will with Sidney Crosby, Rickard Rakell, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating open shots with quick passes. The Penguins should limit the Senators offense, which averages only 2.85 goals per game, with Erik Karlsson, Marcus Pettersson, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone while limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Tristan Jarry to make plenty of big saves. The Penguins should win the game with a strong performance on their home ice.
Take the Penguins money line as home Favorites.
Full-Game Total Pick
Insiders Status:
The Penguins are led by their offense and this game looks to be a high-scoring one from the opening puck drop. The Senators should create plenty of scoring chances against the Penguins, who have allowed 18 goals in the last five games, with Tim Stutzle, Brady Tkachuk, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone while creating open shots with quick passes. The Penguins, who have scored eight goals in the last two games, should run up the score with Sidney Crosby, Rickard Rakell, Bryan Rust, and the rest of the forward unit crashing the net on the rush and creating open shots with quick passes while defensemen Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang pick apart the Senators defense from the point. The Over should cover in a high-scoring game with both offenses stepping up.
Take the Over on 6.5 goals.
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