The Ottawa Senators and Carolina Hurricanes meet Saturday in NHL Game 1 at the Lenovo Center. Here’s a Hurricanes vs. Senators Prediction. This article will include a Hurricanes vs. Senators Pick.
Ottawa Senators Betting Preview
The Ottawa Senators recently lost to the Devils and beat the Maple Leafs. The Senators are in the playoffs for the second time in the last nine years. The Senators have won 6 of their last 8 games.
The Ottawa Senators are averaging 3.35 goals per game and are scoring 24 percent of their power play opportunities. Tim Stutzle leads Ottawa with 34 goals, Jake Sanderson has 40 assists and Brady Tkachuk has 221 shots on goal. Defensively, the Ottawa Senators are allowing 2.99 goals per game and are killing 75.7 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Linus Ullmark has allowed 131 goals on 1,198 shots faced, while Leevi Merilainen has given up 64 goals on 457 shots.
Carolina Hurricanes Betting Preview
The Carolina Hurricanes recently beat the Islanders and lost to the Flyers. The Hurricanes are in the playoffs for an eighth straight season. The Hurricanes have won 7 of their last 9 games.
The Carolina Hurricanes are averaging 3.57 goals per game and are scoring on 25 percent of their power play opportunities. Seth Jarvis leads Carolina with 32 goals, Sebastian Aho has 53 assists, and Andrei Svechnikov has 203 shots on goal. Defensively, the Carolina Hurricanes are allowing 2.9 goals per game and are killing 80.3 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Frederik Andersen has given up 107 goals on 849 shots faced, while Brandon Bussi has allowed 96 goals on 882 shots.
Why the Carolina Hurricanes will win
- The Hurricanes have won each of their last eight games when playing with a rest advantage.
- The Senators have lost five of their last six games at Lenovo Center.
- The Hurricanes have covered the puck line in each of their last four games.
- The Senators have failed to cover the puck line in five of their last six day games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Hurricanes have won the first period in nine of their last 10 games following a road win.
Why the Ottawa Senators will win
- The Senators have won 10 of their last 11 day games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The Hurricanes have lost three of their last four games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Senators have covered the puck line in each of their last 10 games as underdogs following a win.
- The Hurricanes have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last six day games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Hurricanes have lost the third period in nine of their last 10 home games against Atlantic Division opponents when trailing after the second period.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Hurricanes’ last six day games has gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Seven of the Senators’ last eight road games against the Hurricanes following a home win have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Nine of the last 10 Saturday games at Lenovo Center have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Hurricanes’ last six games as favorites.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in seven of the Senators’ last eight games as road underdogs.
Carolina Hurricanes Player Prop Facts
- Andrei Svechnikov has scored a goal in six of his last seven appearances.
- Nikolaj Ehlers has recorded at least one assist in each of his last five appearances against the Senators.
- Taylor Hall has scored two goals against the Senators this season—equal to the most against any opponent.
Ottawa Senators Player Prop Facts
- Tim Stutzle has scored a goal in each of the Senators’ last four games against the Hurricanes.
- Jake Sanderson has recorded at least one assist in each of his last six appearances with the Senators as underdogs against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- Ridly Greig has recorded seven hits against the Hurricanes this season—equal-most against any opponent.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Carolina Hurricanes rank 2nd in the league for goals per game this season (3.55).
- The Carolina Hurricanes are one of only three teams in the league to rank top 5 for both goals for and goals against per game this season.
- The Ottawa Senators rank 29th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (75.85%).
- The Ottawa Senators rank 8th in the league for goals per game this season (3.35).
Hurricanes vs Senators Prediction
The Senators finished the season on a tear over the last two weeks and come into the playoffs more prepared than last season. It’s tempting to take the more favorable price with a well-rounded team that has an above-average goalie.
With that said, the Canes are far and away more trustworthy given their long playoff runs over the years, and they’ve been great on their home ice. Also, the Canes are one of the best at scoring on the power play and the Senators are at the bottom in power play defense. Special teams are a clear edge for the Hurricanes and how they can win this series. I have to lay the cheap price on the Canes at home.