In their first head-to-head meeting of the regular season, the Ottawa Senators and the Vancouver Canucks collide at Rogers Arena. This cross-country matchup gets going at 10 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 3, and it’ll be shown live on Sportsnet Pacific.
Ottawa Senators vs. Vancouver Canucks Odds
Ottawa (+155) is playing the role of underdog to Vancouver (-175), and oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at an even 6 goals. The line for betting that total stands at -120 money on the over and even money (+100) on the under.
The Canucks are 13-15 straight-up (SU) and have punished moneyline bettors to the tune of -2.6 units so far. That early-season winning percentage is fairly close to what the team managed during last year’s regular season (35-47). Through 28 regular season matches, 15 of its games have gone over the total, while 12 have gone under and just one has pushed. The team’s 5-6 SU at home this season.
Vancouver has connected on 25.2 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that’s good enough for sixth-best in the league. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 18th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 81.1 percent of all penalties.
As a team, Vancouver has been penalized 3.9 times per game overall this season, and 2.8 per game over its last five contests. The team’s had to defend opponent power plays for just 7.1 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, overall.
Averaging 28.7 saves per game with a .913 save percentage, Jacob Markstrom (8-10-3) has been the top option in goal for the Canucks this season. If they decide to give him a breather, however, it might turn to Thatcher Demko (5-5-5 record, .907 save percentage, 2.92 goals against average).
Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller will both be focal points for the Canucks. Pettersson (31 points) has tallied 11 goals and 20 assists and has recorded two or more points on nine separate occasions this year. Miller has 12 goals and 16 assists to his name and has recorded a point in 19 games.
On the other hand, Ottawa is 11-16 straight up (SU) and has lost 1.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. Through 27 regular season contests, 16 of its games have gone under the total, while 11 have gone over and none have pushed. Ottawa’s 4-11 SU as a road team this season.
Ottawa has converted on just 9.4 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that places it in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 15th overall and it’s successfully killed off 82.5 percent of all penalties.
Ottawa’s players have been penalized 4.1 times per game this season, and 3.0 per game over their last five on the road. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays just 6.2 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Anders Nilsson (.917 save percentage and 2.92 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Ottawa. Nilsson is averaging 29.9 saves per game and owns a 7-7-1 record.
Leading the offensive push for the visiting Senators will be Jean-Gabriel Pageau (14 goals, six assists) and Thomas Chabot (three goals, 13 assists).
Ottawa Senators at Vancouver Canucks Free Picks
Free NHL Pick: SU Winner – Canucks, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- The total has gone under in four of Ottawa’s last five games.
- The Senators are 4-6 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 5-9 when they’re in the penalty box for fewer than 10 minutes, total.
- Vancouver skaters have averaged 6.4 takeaways per game over its last five home games, right in line with its season average of 6.6 takeaways per game (ranked 26th in the NHL).
- Ottawa has averaged 2.6 goals per game overall this year, but has been averaging 1.0 goal per match up over its last four games (0-4 SU over that span).
- Ottawa skaters have managed 5.6 takeaways per game over its last five road games, its season average of 6.1 takeaways per game (ranked 29th in the NHL).
