In this article we will formulate a Senators vs Hurricanes prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, April 23rd at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL playoff matchup.
Ottawa Senators Betting Preview
The Ottawa Senators are down 0-2 in this series after they lost the first two games by scores of 0-2 and 2-3 (2OT). In game two, Ottawa deleted a 2-0 deficit in the second period, but couldn’t score the rest of the way for the overtime loss. The Senators recorded 39 shots on goal, won 63.8% of the face-offs, and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. Ottawa got goals from Batherson and Cozens, while Ullmark stopped 46 out of 49 shots, which was a .939 save percentage.
Prior to this series, Ottawa defeated the Maple Leafs by a score of 3-1, but lost to the Devils by a score of 4-3 before that. The Senators have lost three of their last four games and they finished fifth in the Atlantic standings with 99 points. Ottawa scored 3.35 goals per game and they allowed 2.99 goals against per game, while also going 24.0% on the power play and 75.8% on the penalty kill this season. Tim Stutzle led Ottawa with 34 goals and 49 assists, while Drake Batherson added 33 goals and 38 assists. The projected starting goalie for Ottawa is Linus Ullmark, who was 28-12-8 with a 2.73 goals against average and an .891 save percentage this season.
Carolina Hurricanes Betting Preview
The Carolina Hurricanes are up 2-0 in this series after they won game two by a score of 3-2 in double overtime. Carolina led 2-0 in the second period, but they allowed two goals in a six minute span, before getting the win in OT. The Hurricanes out shot Ottawa by a total of 49-39, won 36.3% of the face-offs, and went 1-1 on the power play in the game. Carolina got goals from Aho, Martinook, and Stankoven, while Andersen stopped 37 out of 39 shots, which was a .949 save percentage.
Prior to this series, Carolina defeated the Islanders by a score of 2-1, but lost to the Flyers by a score of 3-2 before that. The Hurricanes have won six of their last seven games and they finished first in the Metro standings with 113 points. Carolina scored 3.55 goals per game and they allowed 2.88 goals against per game, while also going 24.9% on the power play and 80.6% on the penalty kill this season. Sebastian Aho led Carolina with 27 goals and 53 assists, while Andrei Svechnikov added 31 goals and 39 assists. The projected starting goalie for Carolina is Frederik Andersen, who was 16-14-5 with a 3.05 goals against average and an .874 save percentage this season.
Why the Ottawa Senators will win
- The Senators have won eight of their last nine night games at Canadian Tire Centre.
- The Hurricanes have lost eight of their last 10 Game 3s of a playoff series.
- The Senators have covered the puck line in each of their last seven night games.
- The Hurricanes have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last six night games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Hurricanes have lost the second period in each of their last six games as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents when leading after the first period.
Why the Carolina Hurricanes will win
- The Hurricanes have won seven of their last eight games against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Senators have lost four of their last seven games as home favorites against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Hurricanes have covered the puck line in seven of their last eight games as road underdogs.
- The Senators have failed to cover the puck line in six of their last seven games as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The Hurricanes have won the first period in each of their last nine games as underdogs.
Total Goals Facts
- Ten of the Senators’ last 11 games as favorites against opponents on a winning streak have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Each of the Hurricanes’ last five games have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Senators’ last 10 home games.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Hurricanes’ last 10 games as underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents.
Ottawa Senators Player Prop Facts
- Tim Stutzle has scored a goal in each of the Senators’ last four home games against the Hurricanes.
- Jake Sanderson has recorded at least one assist in nine of his last 10 home appearances against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Ridly Greig has recorded three assists against the Hurricanes this season – equal-most against any opponent.
Carolina Hurricanes Player Prop Facts
- Logan Stankoven has scored the first goal in each of the Hurricanes’ last three games against the Senators.
- Sebastian Aho has scored at least one goal in seven of his last eight appearances with the Hurricanes as underdogs.
- Nikolaj Ehlers has recorded at least one assist in each of his last six appearances in night games at Canadian Tire Centre.
- Andrei Svechnikov has recorded at least four shots in each of his last five appearances – equal-longest active streak in the league.
Matchup/League Facts
- 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).
- 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.
Senators vs Hurricanes Prediction
Carolina comes into this matchup looking to take a 3-0 lead in the series, but the first two games have been very close, with game two going to double overtime. The Hurricanes were 24-12-5 on the road this year, while the Senators were 23-12-6 at home. Ottawa needs to find more offense, but they face a Carolina defense that has allowed two goals or fewer in four straight games. We will see a desperate Senators team in this one, but I don’t think that’s enough to close the talent gap in this matchup. Take Carolina to get another win.