In this article we will formulate a Senators vs Sharks prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, March 1st at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Ottawa Senators Betting Preview
The Ottawa Senators are 29-25-4 this year after they lost to Winnipeg by a score of 4-1 in their last game. Ottawa was able to cut the deficit from 3-0 to 3-1 in the second period, but they couldn’t get any closer in the loss. The Senators were out shot by a total of 39-24, won 60% of the face-offs, and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Ottawa got their lone goal from Chabot, while Ullmark stopped 36 out of 38 shots in the loss.
Prior to that game, the Senators lost to the Canadiens by a score of 5-2 and the Panthers by a score of 5-1. Ottawa has lost five games in a row and they are currently fifth in the Atlantic standings with 62 points. Ottawa has scored 2.76 goals per game and they have allowed 2.83 goals against per game, while also averaging 23.2% on the power play and 78.4% on the penalty kill this season. Tim Stutzle has led Ottawa with 18 goals, 41 assists, and 115 shots on goal, while Drake Batherson has added 16 goals, 30 assists, and 128 shots on goal. Linus Ullmark is 12-11-2 with a 2.66 goals against average and a .912 save percentage this year.
San Jose Sharks Betting Preview
The San Jose Sharks are 15-36-9 this season after they lost to Montreal in overtime by a score of 4-3 in their last game. San Jose led 2-0 in the first and 3-2 in the third, but they couldn’t hold onto the lead and ended up with the overtime loss. The Sharks were out shot by a total of 33-26, won 43.5% of the face-offs, and went 0-0 on the power play in the game. San Jose got goals from Smith, Sturm, and Zetterlund, while Georgiev stopped 29 out of 33 shots in the game.
Prior to that loss, the Sharks lost to the Jets by a score of 2-1 and the Flames by a score of 3-2. San Jose has lost seven games in a row and they are currently last in the Pacific standings with 39 points. San Jose has scored 2.57 goals per game and they have allowed 3.68 goals against per game, while also going 17.9% on the power play and 76.2% on the penalty kill this season. Macklin Celebrini has led San Jose with 18 goals, 24 assists, and 163 shots on goal, while William Eklund has added 12 goals, 30 assists, and 99 shots on goal. Vitek Vanecek is 3-9-3 with a 3.87 goals against average and an .882 save percentage this season.
Why the Sharks will beat Senators
- The Senators have lost each of their last five games.
- The Sharks have won three of their last four games against the Senators after coming off overtime.
- The Senators have failed to cover the puck line in nine of their last 10 games as home favorites following a loss.
- The road team has covered the puck line in each of the Sharks’ last four games.
- The Senators have lost the third period in each of their last four games against Western Conference opponents when trailing after the second period.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Senators’ last six games against the Sharks following a loss have gone OVER the total goals line at Canadian Tire Centre.
- Seven of the Sharks’ last eight night games at Canadian Tire Centre have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Sharks’ last seven games after coming off overtime.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Senators’ last nine games.
Ottawa Senators Player Prop Facts
- Tim Stutzle has recorded at least one assist in each of the Senators’ last nine games.
- Jake Sanderson has scored a goal in each of the Senators’ last three games as favorites.
- Tim Stutzle has recorded at least one point in each of the Senators’ last 11 games as favorites against Pacific Division opponents.
San Jose Sharks Player Prop Facts
- William Smith has scored a goal in three of the Sharks’ last four games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Logan Couture has recorded at least one point in each of his last seven Saturday night appearances.
- Logan Couture has recorded at least one assist in each of his last seven Saturday night appearances.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Ottawa Senators rank T1st in the league in short handed goals allowed this season (2).
- The Ottawa Senators rank T4th in the league for power play goals this season (44).
- The San Jose Sharks rank 32nd in the league for goals against per game this season (3.68).
- The San Jose Sharks rank 30th in the league for goals per game this season (2.57).
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Senators vs Sharks Prediction
Both of these teams come into this matchup on lengthy losing streaks, but Ottawa will have the home ice advantage. The Senators are 16-9-2 at home this year, while the Sharks are 6-18-7 on the road. Ottawa is still in the playoff chase, so it is very important to get wins against the bottom teams in the league. San Jose has been awful over the last few weeks, but they have kept each of their last four games within one goal, with two of them going to overtime. Ottawa is clearly the better team in this matchup, but with the Sharks keeping games close, I like San Jose +1.5 here.