Columbus Blue Jackets at Ottawa Senators Matchup Preview 12/14/19

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Gustav Nyquist, Cam Atkinson, and the Columbus Blue Jackets will face off against Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Anthony Duclair, and the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre for an Eastern Conference showdown. The opening face-off takes place at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 14, and it is being shown live on Fox Sports Ohio.

Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Ottawa Senators Odds

This matchup’s moneyline and Over/Under odds have not been posted by bookmakers yet.

Ottawa is 13-19 straight up (SU) and has lost 0.8 units for moneyline bettors thus far. That early-season winning percentage isn’t too far off from to the 29-53 record the team posted during last year’s regular season campaign. Among its 32 games this season, 15 have gone under the total, while 15 have gone over and none have pushed. This year, the team’s 8-5 SU at home.

The Senators have converted on just 9.9 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s ranked 31st overall in the NHL. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated 13th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 82.2 percent of all penalties.

Averaging 28.2 saves per game with a .912 save percentage, Anders Nilsson (eight wins, 10 losses, and two OT losses) has been the primary goalkeeper for Ottawa this season. If head coach Dj Smith decides to give him a breather, however, the team could turn to Craig Anderson (5-11-11 record, .901 save percentage, 3.01 goals against average).

On the other bench, Columbus is 12-19 straight up (SU) and has lost 4.8 units for moneyline bettors thus far. A total of 17 of its contests have gone under the total, while 12 have gone over and just one has pushed. As the visiting team, the Blue Jackets are 4-10 SU so far.

The Blue Jackets have converted on 18.0 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 19th overall and it’s successfully killed off 79.5 percent of all opponent power plays.

Joonas Korpisalo (25.7 saves per game) has been the main option in goal for Columbus. Korpisalo has 12 wins, 12 losses, and two OT losses to his credit, while registering a .906 save percentage and 2.73 goals against average this year.

Columbus Blue Jackets at Ottawa Senators Betting Picks

Free NHL Tip: SU Winner – Blue Jackets, O/U – Under

Betting Trends

  • A majority (69.2 percent) of Ottawa’s wins have come by two or more goals, and the team’s 9-13 overall in games decided by at least two scores. 3 of Columbus’ 12 wins (25.0 percent) have been decided by two or more goals.
  • The Senators are 4-8 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 5-10 in games where they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes.
  • Columbus has averaged 8.8 giveaways over its last five home games, right in line with its season average of 9.1 giveaways per game (the seventh-fewest in the league).
  • Ottawa is ranked 21st this season with 10.9 giveaways per game. That figure has improved recently, however, as the team’s averaged 8.8 giveaways over its last 10 games and 8.8 giveaways over its last five.
  • The Sens this season have registered the fifth-most hits in the league (26.1 per game).