The Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins meet Saturday in NHL action at the PPG Paints Arena. Here’s a Penguins vs Senators Prediction. This article will include a Penguins vs Senators Pick.
Ottawa Senators Betting Preview
The Ottawa Senators lost to the Red Wings and Sabres, and they play the Stars, Islanders, and Capitals next. The Ottawa Senators are averaging 2.85 goals per game and are scoring 23.9 percent of their power play opportunities. Brady Tkachuk leads Ottawa with 18 goals, Tim Stutzle has 29 assists and Thomas Chabot has 92 shots on goal. Defensively, the Ottawa Senators are allowing 2.93 goals per game and are killing 77.4 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Linus Ullmark has allowed 51 goals on 602 shots faced, and Anton Forsberg has given up 41 goals on 350 shots.
Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Penguins lost to the Blue Jackets, beat the Oilers, and play the Lightning, Kraken, and Sabres next. The Pittsburgh Penguins are averaging 3.07 goals per game and are scoring 26.8 percent of their power play opportunities. Rickard Rakell leads Pittsburgh with 21 goals, Sidney Crosby has 35 assists, and Erik Karlsson has 107 shots on goal. Defensively, the Pittsburgh Penguins are allowing 3.6 goals per game and are killing 80 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Tristan Jarry has allowed 63 goals on 557 shots faced, and Alex Nedelijkovic has given up 58 goals on 534 shots.
Why the Pittsburgh Penguins will win
- The Senators have lost each of their last nine games as road favorites following a loss.
- The Penguins have won seven of their last eight games as home underdogs.
- The Senators have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last 12 games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Penguins have covered the puck line in seven of their last eight games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Penguins have won the second period in each of their last six games at PPG Paints Arena following a win.
Why the Ottawa Senators will win
- The Senators have won each of their last five games against the Penguins.
- The Penguins have lost each of their last four games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Senators have covered the puck line in six of their last seven day games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The Penguins have failed to cover the puck line in four of their last five games following a home win.
- The Penguins have lost the third period in each of their last six day games.
Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Facts
- Kris Letang has scored a goal in each of his last four appearances against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Sidney Crosby has recorded at least one point in each of the Penguins’ last 11 home games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Sidney Crosby has recorded at least one assist in each of the Penguins’ last seven home games against Eastern Conference opponents.
Ottawa Senators Player Prop Facts
- Tim Stuetzle has recorded at least one point in each of the Senators’ last nine games as road favorites.
- Drake Batherson has recorded at least one assist in each of the Senators’ last five day games.
- Drake Batherson has scored a goal in four of the Senators’ last five games against the Penguins.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pittsburgh Penguins rank 32nd in the league for goals against per game this season (3.60).
- The Pittsburgh Penguins rank 4th in the league in power play percentage this season (26.83%).
- The Ottawa Senators rank T1st in the league in short handed goals allowed this season (1).
- The Ottawa Senators rank T6th in the league for power play goals this season (31).
Penguins vs Senators Prediction
This line makes no sense to me. As I mentioned in the previous Penguins write up, they’re playing solid hockey and deserve to be closely watched. The Penguins have earned points in seven of their last 10 games, and we cashed on them beating the Oilers as near +200 underdogs. The Ottawa Senators are going nowhere fast, with losses in four straight games and shutouts in two of those games. It’s surprising to see this as a pick em line. The Penguins are playing good hockey at the moment and have seen 12 of their 18 wins come at home. I’ll gladly take the Penguins at this price, which has to be one of the best bets on Saturday’s NHL card.