Two teams squaring off for the second time this year, the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Ottawa Senators clash at Canadian Tire Centre for an Eastern Conference matchup. The match gets started at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, December 29, and fans at home are able to watch the game live on Fox Sports Ohio.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Ottawa Senators Odds
Ottawa (+115) is playing the role of underdog to Columbus (-135), and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals. The odds for betting that total sit at -125 under, +105 over.
Columbus is 22-16 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 2.0 units this year. Through 38 regular season outings, 19 of its games have gone under the total, while 18 have gone over and just one has pushed. As an away team this season, the Jackets are 8-10 SU.
Columbus has converted on just 11.7 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s ranked 32nd in the NHL. Its penalty kill is ranked 17th in the league, and it has successfully killed off 80.8 percent of its penalties.
The Jackets, as a collective unit, have been whistled for penalties just 3.2 times per game this season, and 5.0 per game over its last five road outings. The team’s had to kill penalties an unhealthy 14.4 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Boasting a .921 save percentage and 28.2 saves per game, Sergei Bobrovsky (18-13-3) has been the top option in goal for Columbus this year. If Columbus chooses to rest him, however, the team may roll with Joonas Korpisalo (4-4 record, .911 save percentage, 2.84 goals against average).
Artemi Panarin and Oliver Bjorkstrand will both look to continue their strong seasons for the visiting Blue Jackets. Panarin (33 points) is up to 10 goals and 23 assists, and has recorded two or more points six times. Bjorkstrand has six goals and 18 assists to his name, and has registered at least one point in 19 games.
Ottawa is 11-24 straight up (SU) and has lost 16.6 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 35 regular season outings, 18 of its games have gone over the total, while 17 have gone under and none have pushed. It’s 6-11 SU as the home team this year.
The Senators have converted on just 16.1 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that’s ranked 26th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 24th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 78.8 percent of all opponent power plays.
Ottawa players have been penalized only 3.6 times per game in total this season, and 2.8 per game over their last five home outings. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 5.6 minutes per game over their last five home outings.
Craig Anderson has stopped 25.2 shots per game as the top netminder in goal for the Senators. Anderson has 10 wins, 17 losses, and four overtime losses and has maintained a pedestrian 3.12 goals against average and a fairly-weak .896 save percentage this season.
Mark Stone (14 goals, 18 assists) will pace the attack for the Sens.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Ottawa Senators Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Senators, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes
Five of Ottawa’s last ten contests have been decided by two or more goals, and the club is 1-4 overall in those games.
The Senators are 0-8 SU when they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Blue Jackets are 7-6 SU in games where they spend more time in the box than their opponent.
Three of Columbus’ last ten games have ended in a shootout. The team is 1-2 in those games and 4-3 overall in shootouts this season.
Columbus could have an advantage if it’s a tight one late. The team’s an impressive 11-5 in games decided by one goal, while Ottawa is only 6-13 in such games.
The total has gone over in three of Ottawa’s last five games.
Ottawa has given up 4.0 goals per game (while scoring just 2.0 per contest) on its four-game losing streak.
Ottawa has averaged 11.8 giveaways over its last five home games, a rise over its season average of 10.1 giveaways per game (ranked 20th in the league).
One of the best at possession and valuing the puck, Columbus is ranked third this season with just 6.1 giveaways per game. That figure has trended lower, however, as it’s averaged 5.0 giveaways over its last 10 games and 5.0 giveaways over its last five.
This game features a couple of the more physical teams in the league. Columbus skaters have given out the 11th-most hits in the league (22.3 per game) while the Senators have tallied the 11th-most (22.3).
