The BB&T Center will play host to an Atlantic Division matchup as the Ottawa Senators come into town to face the Florida Panthers. The action gets going at 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday, March 12 and it will be shown live on Fox SportsNet Florida.
Ottawa Senators vs. Florida Panthers Odds
Ottawa (+190) is currently the underdog to Florida (-230), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at an even 6 goals. The line for betting the total stands at -115 for the over and -105 on the under.
Florida is 34-32 straight up (SU) and has earned 2.5 units for moneyline bettors this year. That early-season winning percentage is a welcome improvement compared to what the team managed during the 2016-17 season (35-47). Among its 66 games this season, 34 have gone over the total, while 32 have gone under and none have pushed. This season, the team’s 21-12 SU at home.
The Panthers have converted on 20.0 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 18th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 79.9 percent of all penalties.
As a team, the Panthers have been penalized 4.3 times per game overall this season, and 3.3 per game over their past ten matchups. The team has had to kill penalties for a whopping 14.2 minutes per game over their last five outings, overall.
Sporting a .907 save percentage and 27.8 saves per game, James Reimer (16-20-5) has been the best option in goal for Florida this year. If head coach Bob Boughner decides to give him the night off, however, Florida might go with Roberto Luongo (14-11-11 record, .930 save percentage, 2.51 goals against average).
Aleksander Barkov and Vincent Trocheck will both be offensive focal points for the Panthers. Barkov (68 points) has put up 25 goals and 43 assists and has recorded two or more points 20 times this year. Trocheck has 26 goals and 36 assists to his name and has notched at least one point in 43 games.
Over on the other bench, Ottawa is 23-44 straight up (SU) and has lost 20.0 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 67 regular season outings, 35 of its games have gone over the total, while 32 have gone under and none have pushed. As the visiting team, the Senators are 9-24 SU.
The Senators have converted on just 16.3 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that places them in the bottom-five overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 28th overall and it’s successfully killed off 76.2 percent of all opponent power plays.
Ottawa’s players have been penalized 3.5 times per game in total this season, and 2.8 per game over their last five on the road. The team’s had to stave off opponent power plays just 6.3 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Craig Anderson (.901 save percentage and 3.24 goals against average) has been the main option in goal for Ottawa. Anderson is averaging 27.6 saves per game and has 20 wins, 29 losses, and six OT losses to his credit.
For the visiting Senators, the offense will be facilitated through Mark Stone, who has 42 assists and 20 goals this season.
Ottawa Senators vs. Florida Panthers Free Picks
Free NHL Tip: SU Winner – Panthers, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Trends
Two of Ottawa’s last ten games have been decided by a shootout. The team is 0-2 in those games and 2-7 overall in shootouts this season.
The total has gone under in three of Florida’s last five outings.
The Panthers have averaged the league’s most shots on goal (34.4) while the Senators have attempted the 24th-most (only 34.4).
Ottawa skaters have accounted for the ninth-most hits in the league (23.9 per game).
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