In their second head-to-head meeting of the regular season, the Ottawa Senators and the Montreal Canadiens meet at Bell Centre. The match gets underway at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, December 11, and fans at home can catch this divisional matchup live on Sportsnet.
Ottawa Senators at Montreal Canadiens Odds
Producing -7.4 units for moneyline gamblers, the Canadiens are 14-17 straight up (SU) overall this year. That early-season winning percentage is a regression from the 44-38 record that the team posted during last year’s regular season campaign. Through 31 regular season outings, 16 of its games have gone over the total, while 12 have gone under and just two have pushed. Thus far, the team is 7-10 SU at home.
Montreal has converted on 20.0 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 28th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 75.8 percent of all penalties.
Montreal, as a collective unit, has been penalized just 3.0 times per game overall this season, 2.8 per game over its last five games total, and 3.0 per game over its last five at home. The team’s had to stave off opposition power plays for just 5.6 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, overall.
Averaging 27.3 saves per game with a .905 save percentage, Carey Price (13 wins, 12 losses, and three OT losses) has been the most dependable goalkeeper for the Canadiens this year. Price did just play last night, however, so the team may choose to give him a rest and instead roll with Keith Kinkaid (1-5-5 record, .875 save percentage, 4.24 goals against average).
Tomas Tatar and Shea Weber will both spearhead the attack for the Canadiens. Tatar (27 points) has tallied 10 goals and 17 assists and has recorded multiple points on five separate occasions this year. Weber has 10 goals and 15 assists to his name and has recorded at least one point in 17 contests.
On the other side of the ice, Ottawa is 13-18 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 0.2 units this season. A total of 16 of its games have gone under the total, while 15 have gone over and none have pushed. Ottawa’s 5-13 SU as an away team this season.
Ottawa has converted on just 9.4 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that places it in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 13th overall and it’s successfully killed off 82.5 percent of all opponent power plays.
Ottawa’s skaters have been whistled for penalties 4.2 times per game this season, and 3.5 per game over their past ten outings. The team’s had to defend opponent power plays just 7.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Anders Nilsson (28.3 saves per game) has been the primary choice in goal for Ottawa. Nilsson has eight wins, nine losses, and one overtime loss to his credit, and has registered a .913 save percentage and 3.03 goals against average this year.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau (16 goals, seven assists) and Anthony Duclair (15 goals, seven assists) have been the top playmakers for Ottawa and will pace the offensive attack for the visiting Senators.
Ottawa Senators at Montreal Canadiens Betting Picks
Free Pick: SU Winner – Senators, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- The total has gone over in four of Ottawa’s last five outings.
- Ottawa has managed 31.8 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Montreal is averaging 41.6 shots per game over its last five home outings.
- This game features two of the more aggressive defenses in the league. Ottawa skaters have dished out the league’s sixth-most hits per game (26.0) and the Canadiens have tallied the third-most (28.5).
