Canadian Tire Centre plays host to a divisional clash as the Ottawa Senators face off against the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning. Sportsnet will air the game, which gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 6.
Tampa Bay Lightning at Ottawa Senators Odds
Tampa Bay (-200) is currently the favorite over Ottawa (+170) and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals (-110 for the over, -110 for the under).
Tampa Bay is 29-11 straight up (SU) and has earned 12.8 units for moneyline bettors this season. 22 of its games have gone over the total, while 18 have gone under and none have pushed. This 2017-18 Lightning team is 13-7 SU on the road.
Tampa Bay currently touts the third-strongest power-play unit in the NHL, as it’s converted on 25.0 percent of its extra-man opportunities this season. Its penalty kill is ranked 23rd overall, and it has successfully killed off 79.7 percent of its penalties.
Tampa Bay, as a collective unit, has been sent to the penalty box 4.1 times per game overall in the 2017-18 season, and 5.0 per game over its past ten matchups. The team has had to defend opponent power plays just 7.6 minutes per game over their last five outings.
With a .939 save percentage and 28.8 saves per game, Andrei Vasilevskiy (26-8-2) has been the best option in goal for Tampa Bay this year. If Tampa Bay decides to rest him, however, head coach Jon Cooper might turn to Peter Budaj (3-4-1), who has a .878 save percentage and 3.80 goals against average this year.
Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos will both look to continue their strong seasons for the visiting Lightning. Kucherov (57 points) is up to 26 goals and 31 assists, and has recorded two or more points in 20 different games. Stamkos has 17 goals and 33 assists to his name, and has logged a point in 27 games.
On the other side of the rink, Ottawa is 13-26 straight up (SU) and has lost 17.6 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 39 regular season contests, 19 of its games have gone over the total, while another 19 have gone under and none have pushed. The team’s 8-12 SU at home this season.
Ottawa has converted on just 16.2 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s ranked 24th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 29th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 75.9 percent of all penalties.
Ottawa players have been whistled for penalties only 3.6 times per game in total this season, 3.8 per game over their past five outings total, and 3.6 per game over their last five at home. The team’s been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 7.2 minutes per contest over their last five home games.
Craig Anderson (25.7 saves per game) has been the top selection in goal for Ottawa. Anderson has 11 wins, 18 losses, and five overtime losses to his name and has registered a pedestrian 3.15 goals against average and a fairly-weak .896 save percentage this season.
Mark Stone (16 goals, 21 assists) will lead the attack for the Senators.
Tampa Bay Lightning at Ottawa Senators Betting Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Senators, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
Two of Tampa Bay’s last ten games have ended in a shootout. The team is 1-1 in those games and 2-2 overall in shootouts this season.
The under has hit in three of Ottawa’s last five games.
Six of Tampa Bay’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 5-1 in those games.
The Sens this season have handed the eighth-most hits per game (23.3), but the club has averaged 31.2 over their past five games as the home team.
