Slow starts aren’t always a death sentence. However, the longer the losing stretches toward the middle of the season, the more likely it could be that a team may be in for a long year. Ottawa Senators, which is sitting in last place in the Eastern Conference, desperately needs to find the spark.
When it comes to Bruins vs Senators best bets, it’s hard upon initial look to not like Ottawa. Boston Bruins has won four straight games and is in the middle of a three-game road swing. While most NHL teams do have to handle extended time on the road, this isn’t a super long road trip for Boston; piling up wins will help Boston out.
Here’s a look at some information surrounding Monday night’s games and what is the best-case scenario for both teams. Each team will be trying to find a way to continue to find themselves in the best place in the NHL standings as the season goes along.
Boston Bruins vs. Ottawa Senators Information
Bruins vs Senators best bets show the two teams will meet at 7 p.m. Monday night at the Canadian Tire Centre.
Last game record
The Bruins beat New Jersey 4-3 last time out. Boston improved to 27-4-0-2 on the schedule. The Senators lost to Washington 3-2 in overtime. Ottawa fell to 14-16-3 on the season.
Boston Bruins vs. Ottawa Senators Analysis
The Bruins, unsurprisingly, are again at the top of the Atlantic Division. What makes Boston so formidable is the number of ways it can score. NHL player stats show David Pastrnak leads the Bruins with 24 goals. Boston also has four other players who have scored ten or more goals, including Patrice Bergeron.
With how versatile Boston is, few teams look forward to seeing the Bruins on their NHL schedule. Boston is second in the league in scoring, putting in 3.9 goals per game. Defensively, Boston is also very good. The Bruins are first in the league on the penalty kill, stopping 85.2 percent of their opponents’ opportunities and in goals allowed per game at 2.2.
Anyone making Bruins vs Senators best bets will be able to see Ottawa has taken some tough losses recently. During the Senators’ last game, Ottawa was tripped up 3-2 in overtime by Washington. In the two games before that, the Senators lost by multiple goals to Winnipeg and Minnesota.
When it comes to NHL picks, fans will see Ottawa has the ability to generate scoring chances. The Senators just haven’t been good finishers. Ottawa is only 19th in the league in goals scored per game, despite being sixth in the league in shots on nets and fourth in power-play percentage at 28.5.
The Senators have six players who have scored ten or more goals. It’s hard to imagine that Ottawa, which is led by 14 goals from veteran winger Claude Giroux, hasn’t been more successful on offense. When it comes to defense, the Senators have struggled to find their way.
Ottawa allows 3.2 goals per game, which ranks 19th in the league. Opponents are able to get 32.2 shots per game at the Senators, which ranks 20th in the league.
Odds Breakdown
Boston Bruins
The Bruins are -167 on the moneyline. The over/under of 6.5 goals is a typical one for most NHL games. Boston is 22-11 against the puckline. The Bruins have seen the over go 16-15 in their games.
Ottawa Senators
The Senators are +143 on the moneyline. Ottawa is 19-14 against the puckline. The Senators have seen the total go under in 21 of their 33 games.
Boston Bruins vs. Ottawa Senators Betting Pick and Prediction
Bruins vs Senators best bets revolve the most around what you think of Ottawa. Boston is a good team that will likely be in the hunt for the Eastern Conference title, as it has been for the last 15 years or so.
Taking Boston to win on the road isn’t a bad play against the Senators. Boston is 9-4 on the road and isn’t intimidated easily.
Ottawa’s lack of finishing ability isn’t due to having several stud players on the NHL injury report. For whatever reason, the Senators haven’t been able to put pucks away. Trying to remedy that problem against Boston isn’t the best formula for building confidence.
The Bruins will play solid defense and keep this game under the total.
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