The Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators meet Thursday in NHL action at the Canadian Tire Centre. Here’s a Senators vs. Penguins Prediction. This article will include a Senators vs. Penguins Pick.
Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Penguins lost to the Hurricanes and Avs and play the Stars next. The Penguins have lost 8 of their last 12 games.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are averaging 3.39 goals per game and are scoring 24.1 percent of their power play opportunities. Sidney Crosby leads Pittsburgh with 28 goals, Erik Karlsson has 43 assists, and Bryan Rust has 169 shots on goal. Defensively, the Pittsburgh Penguins are allowing 3.03 goals per game and are killing 82.9 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Arturs Silovs has allowed 99 goals on 903 shots faced, while Tristan Jarry has given up 36 goals on 396 shots.
Ottawa Senators Betting Preview
The Ottawa Senators beat the Rangers and Red Wings, and they play the Lightning next. The Senators have won 9 of their last 11 games.
The Ottawa Senators are averaging 3.32 goals per game and are scoring 22.8 percent of their power play opportunities. Tim Stutzle leads Ottawa with 32 goals, Jake Sanderson has 37 assists and Brady Tkachuk has 193 shots on goal. Defensively, the Ottawa Senators are allowing 3.04 goals per game and are killing 74.9 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Linus Ullmark has allowed 112 goals on 993 shots faced, while Leevi Merilainen has given up 64 goals on 457 shots.
Why the Ottawa Senators will win
- The Penguins have lost each of their last seven games against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Senators have won eight of their last nine games against the Penguins.
- The Penguins have failed to cover the puck line in seven of their last eight night games following a home loss.
- The home team has covered the puck line in each of the last three games between the Penguins and Senators.
- The home team has won the third period in each of the Senators’ last six games.
Why the Pittsburgh Penguins will win
- The Senators have lost each of their last four games as home favorites following a road win.
- The Penguins have won nine of their last 12 Thursday games as underdogs.
- The road team has covered the puck line in each of the Penguins’ last six games.
- The Senators have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last five games as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The Penguins have won the second period in five of their last six games as underdogs when leading after the first period.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Penguins’ last seven night games has gone OVER the total goals line.
- Each of the Senators’ last seven games against the Penguins following a road win has gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Eight of the last nine Thursday night games between teams from the same conference have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in 10 of the Penguins’ last 12 games as road underdogs.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in five of the Senators’ last six home games against opponents on a losing streak.
Ottawa Senators Player Prop Facts
- Brady Tkachuk has scored the last goal in three of the Senators’ last four games as home favorites against the Penguins.
- Brady Tkachuk has scored at least one goal in each of the Senators’ last four games as home favorites against the Penguins.
- Jake Sanderson has recorded at least one assist in each of his last seven home appearances against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Drake Batherson has recorded four assists against the Penguins this season—equal to the most against any opponent.
Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Facts
- Bryan Rust has scored at least one goal in four of the Penguins’ last five road games.
- Sidney Crosby has recorded an assist in each of the Penguins’ last four games.
- Noel Acciari has scored eight career goals against the Senators—most against any opponent (including playoffs).
Matchup/League Facts
- The Ottawa Senators rank 30th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (75.00%).
- The Ottawa Senators rank 1st in the league for shots against per game this season (24.0).
- The Pittsburgh Penguins rank 3rd in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (82.94%).
- The Pittsburgh Penguins rank 7th in the league for goals per game this season (3.39).
Senators vs Penguins Prediction
The Penguins are getting blitzed defensively this week, allowing 11 goals in their last two games and four or more goals in each of their last four games. The Senators have improved their playoff chances greatly over the last two weeks and their offense is rolling right now. The Senators have also won eight of the last 10 games against the Penguins, which includes a 3-2 road win last month. I’m going to ride the hot hand and back the Senators on their home ice. If the Penguins don’t tighten up defensively, this game could get ugly. Give me the Senators.