Facing each other for the third and final time this season, the Ottawa Senators and the Carolina Hurricanes meet at PNC Arena for an Eastern Conference tilt. The opening face-off takes place at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, March 26, and fans at home can view it live on Fox Sports Carolina.
Ottawa Senators vs. Carolina Hurricanes Odds
Ottawa (+170) is entering this one as the underdog to Carolina (-200), and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals. The line for betting the total stands at -115 for the over and -105 for the under.
Carolina is 33-42 straight up (SU) and has recorded -15.2 units for moneyline bettors this year. That early-season winning percentage hasn’t moved much from what the team managed during last year’s regular season (36-46). Through 75 regular season outings, 38 of its games have gone under the total, while 35 have gone over and just two have pushed. This year, the team is 17-21 SU at home.
The Hurricanes have converted on 19.4 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated 24th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 77.7 percent of all penalties.
As a team, the Hurricanes have been penalized just 2.8 times per game overall this season, 2.6 per game over their last five outings total, and 2.6 per game over their last five at home. The team has been forced to kill penalties for just 5.2 minutes per game over their last 10 matchups, in total.
Averaging 25.1 saves per game with a .904 save percentage, Cam Ward (21-19-4) has been the primary goalkeeper for the Canes this season. If the Canes, however, decide to rest him, head coach Bill Peters may turn to Scott Darling (12-27-27 record, .885 save percentage, 3.19 goals against average).
Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen will each lead the way for the Hurricanes. Aho (62 points) has put up 26 goals and 36 assists and has recorded two or more points on 16 separate occasions this year. Teravainen has 23 goals and 38 assists to his credit and has notched at least one point in 40 games.
Ottawa is 26-48 straight up (SU) and has lost 18.1 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 74 regular season matches, 40 of its games have gone over the total, while 34 have gone under and none have pushed. As the away team, the Senators are 11-25 SU.
The Senators have converted on just 17.0 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that places them in the bottom-10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 28th overall and it’s successfully defended 75.5 percent of all opponent power plays.
Ottawa’s players have been penalized 3.4 times per game in total this season, and 2.2 per game over their past five games. The team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 6.0 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Craig Anderson (27.4 saves per game) has been the primary option in the net for Ottawa. Anderson owns a 22-31-6 record, and has registered a .899 save percentage and 3.32 goals against average this year.
Mark Stone (20 goals, 42 assists) has been one of the primary offensive playmakers for the visiting Senators.
Ottawa Senators vs. Carolina Hurricanes Free Picks
Prediction: SU Winner – Hurricanes, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Trends
Ottawa is 2-7 in games decided by a shootout this season while Carolina is 3-3 in shootouts.
The total has gone over in each of Carolina’s last five games.
The Hurricanes have averaged the league’s fifth-most shots on goal (34.0) while the Senators have attempted just the 24th-most (34.0).
Six of Carolina’s last ten games have been decided by two or more goals. The team is 1-5 overall in those games.
Ottawa skaters have accounted for the sixth-most hits in the league (24.0 per game), but the team’s averaged just 20.2 hits over their last five away games.
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