Two clubs that split their season series 1-1 last year, the Chicago Blackhawks and the Ottawa Senators clash at Canadian Tire Centre in an East-versus-West showdown. The matchup will get underway at 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 9, and you can see the game live on NBC Sports Chicago.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Ottawa Senators Odds
Each team currently has an identical -110 money line in this one and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals (-125 for the over, +105 for the under).
Chicago is 20-21 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.6 units for moneyline bettors thus far. 21 of its contests have gone under the total, while 18 have gone over and just two have pushed. The Hawks are 9-13 SU as a road team in 2017-18.
Chicago has converted on just 14.5 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that’s ranked 30th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 17th out of 31 teams, and the team’s successfully killed off 80.8 percent of all penalties.
For the team as a whole, the Hawks have been penalized 3.7 times per game overall in the 2017-18 season, and 2.8 per game over its last five outings. The team’s had to defend opponent power plays 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 best option in goal for Chicago this year. If Chicago decides to rest him, however, they could turn to Anton Forsberg (3-10-3 record, .909 save percentage, 3.10 goals against average).
Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews will both lead the offensive attack for the visiting Blackhawks. 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 credit (and has notched a 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 team’s 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’s ranked 27th in the NHL. 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 penalized 3.7 times per game in total this season, and 4.8 per game over their last five at home. The team’s been forced to defend opponent power plays 8.8 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Craig Anderson has stopped 26.3 shots per game as the primary choice in goal for the Senators. Anderson has 12 wins, 18 losses, and five overtime losses and has maintained a fairly-weak .899 save percentage and 3.14 goals against average this season.
Mark Stone (17 goals, 23 assists) will lead the attack for the home team.
Chicago Blackhawks at Ottawa Senators Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Senators, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
Ottawa (1-5 in shootouts) has more shootout experience coming into this one. Chicago fell short in its one shootout this season.
The over has hit in three of Ottawa’s last five outings.
The Blackhawks are 6-4 when they attempt at least 10 more shots than their opponent. They’ve averaged the league’s third-most shots on goal (34.5) and Ottawa has attempted the 21st-most (only 30.8).
The majority (70.0 percent) of Chicago’s wins have come by two or more goals and the team is 14-12 overall in games decided by at least two scores. 6 of Ottawa’s wins (42.9 percent) have been decided by two or more goals.
The Sens this season have registered the seventh-most hits per game (23.4), but that average has climbed to 31.8 over their last five games as the home team.
