Two teams that’ve underperformed this season, the Ottawa Senators and the Detroit Red Wings face off at Little Caesars Arena in an Atlantic Division showdown. The action will get started at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 31, and it is being televised live on Sportsnet ONE.
Ottawa Senators vs. Detroit Red Wings Odds
Producing 16.0 units for moneyline bettors, Detroit is 29-49 straight up (SU) overall in the 2017-18 season. That early-season winning percentage is fairly close to what the team posted during the 2016-17 season (33-49). Through 78 regular season matches, 43 of the team’s games have gone under the total, while 33 have gone over and just two have pushed. This season, the team’s 15-23 SU at home.
The Red Wings have converted on just 17.0 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that places them in the bottom-10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated 23rd overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 78.0 percent of all penalties.
The Red Wings, as a collective unit, have been penalized 3.7 times per game overall this season, 4.0 per game over their last five games total, and 3.4 per game over their last five home outings. The team has had to kill penalties for just 6.8 minutes per contest over their last five home games.
With a .909 save percentage and 26.6 saves per game, Jimmy Howard (21-37-8) has been the primary option in goal for Detroit this year. If head coach Jeff Blashill chooses to rest him, however, Detroit could go with Petr Mrazek (8-14-14 record, .910 save percentage, 2.89 goals against average).
The Wings will continue looking for leadership via Dylan Larkin and Henrik Zetterberg. Larkin (58 points) is up to 13 goals and 45 assists and has recorded two or more points 11 times this year. Zetterberg has 10 goals and 40 assists to his name and has recorded a point in 38 contests.
Over on the other bench, Ottawa is 27-50 straight up (SU) and has lost 18.9 units for bettors taking the moneyline thus far. Through 77 regular season contests, 41 of its games have gone over the total, while 36 have gone under and none have pushed. As the visiting team, the Senators are 11-26 SU.
The Senators have converted on just 16.9 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that places them in the bottom-10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 30th overall and it’s successfully killed off 75.2 percent of all penalties.
Ottawa’s players have been penalized 3.4 times per game in total this season, and 2.5 per game over their last ten match ups. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays just 5.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Craig Anderson (27.3 saves per game) has been the main choice in goal for Ottawa. Anderson has 23 wins, 32 losses, and six OT losses to his credit, and has registered a .899 save percentage and 3.28 goals against average this year.
Mark Stone (20 goals, 42 assists) has been one of the most vital facilitators on offense for the visiting Senators.
Ottawa Senators at Detroit Red Wings Betting Predictions
Pick: SU Winner – Senators, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- Detroit is 5-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Ottawa is 2-7 in shootouts.
- The total has gone over in four of Detroit’s last five outings.
- Six of Ottawa’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 2-4 in those games.
- Ottawa skaters have accounted for the fifth-most hits in the league (24.2 per game).
