Considered by some to be the two weakest clubs in the NHL, the New Jersey Devils and the Ottawa Senators clash at Canadian Tire Centre. This Eastern Conference matchup gets underway at 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday, January 27, and it can be caught live on Reseau Des Sports.
New Jersey Devils vs. Ottawa Senators Odds
Oddsmakers have not yet posted moneyline or Over/Under odds for this matchup.
The Senators are 17-31 straight-up (SU) and have not been kind to moneyline bettors (to the tune of -8.8 units) thus far. That early-season winning percentage is right in line with what the team posted during last year’s regular season (29-53). Through 48 regular season matches, 26 of the team’s games have gone over the total, while 21 have gone under and just one has pushed. Thus far, the team is 12-12 SU at home.
Ottawa has converted on just 12.3 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that places the team in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 15th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 81.4 percent of all penalties.
Ottawa, as a collective unit, has been penalized 4.0 times per game overall this season, and 3.0 per game over its last five home outings. The team has had to kill penalties for just 6.0 minutes per game over its last five matchups, in total.
Averaging 28.5 saves per game with a .908 save percentage, Anders Nilsson (nine wins, 11 losses, and two OT losses) has been the primary goalkeeper for the Senators this year. If the Sens decide to give him a rest, however, head coach Dj Smith might go with Craig Anderson (6-16-16 record, .897 save percentage, 3.32 goals against average).
The Sens will continue looking for leadership from Anthony Duclair and Connor Brown. Duclair (33 points) has tallied 21 goals and 12 assists and has recorded multiple points in eight different games this year. Brown has 10 goals and 21 assists to his credit and has notched at least one point in 22 games.
On the other hand, New Jersey is 17-31 straight up (SU) and has lost 10.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. Through 48 regular season outings, 26 of its games have gone over the total, while 21 have gone under the total and just one has pushed. New Jersey’s 10-15 SU as a road team this season.
New Jersey has converted on just 14.5 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that’s ranked 30th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 18th overall and it’s successfully killed off 79.8 percent of all penalties.
New Jersey’s players have been penalized 4.1 times per game this season, 4.0 per game over their last five outings total, and 4.6 per game over their last five games as the visiting team. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays 11.6 minutes per game over their last five road outings.
MacKenzie Blackwood (2.96 goals against average and .905 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for New Jersey. Blackwood is averaging 26.1 saves per game and has 14 wins, 21 losses, and six OT losses to his credit.
Kyle Palmieri (16 goals, 15 assists) and Nico Hischier (12 goals, 17 assists) have been the top playmakers for New Jersey and will lead the offensive attack for the visiting Devils.
New Jersey Devils vs. Ottawa Senators Free Picks
Free NHL Pick: SU Winner – Senators, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- The extra-man advantage may prove to be critical in this game. The Devils are 7-13 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 9-16 in games where they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Senators are 5-14 when the team serves fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 8-15 in games where total penalty minutes are in the single digits.
- Ottawa is 0-3 in games decided by a shootout this season while New Jersey is 2-4 in shootouts.
- Ottawa is ranked 28th in the league this season with 6.5 takeaways per game. That figure has trended down, however, as it has averaged 5.3 takeaways over its last 10 games and 5.8 takeaways over its last five.
- New Jersey has allowed 3.6 goals per game overall this year, but is allowing 5.7 goals per match up over its three-game losing streak.
- New Jersey skaters have averaged 7.0 takeaways per game over its last five road games, right in line with its season average of 6.9 takeaways per game (ranked 21st overall).
