Ottawa Senators vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, Preview, and Odds
The Ottawa Senators face the Columbus Blue Jackets with both teams looking to improve on rough seasons. The Senators have an 8-9 record and with two losses in a row, they are in last place in the Atlantic Division. The Blue Jackets have a 7-13-4 record and with only three wins in their last 10 games, they have the worst record in the Metropolitan Division. Both teams look to improve in the Eastern Conference and the upcoming game should be a good one.
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Senators hope defense improves
The Senators are having a rough season despite their offense stepping up and scoring 3.47 goals per game. Tim Stutzle and Claude Giroux have scored 10 goals and 28 assists to lead the top line but the rest of the offense has stepped up as well. Brady Tkachuk, Mathieu Joseph, and Vladimir Tarasenko have combined for 17 goals and 26 assists while defensemen Jakob Chychrun and Jake Sanderson have added nine goals and 15 assists from the point to open up the offense.
The offense has stepped up but the defense has been awful this season, allowing 3.47 goals per game with 10 goals in the last two games. Jakob Chychrun and Travis Hamonic have combined for 1.4 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net with ease. In addition, goaltender Joonas Korpisalo has struggled with a .902 save percentage and a 3.34 goals-against average on 368 shots with -0.4 goals saved above average.
Blue Jackets defense has let them down
The Blue Jackets are having a season to forget with their offense struggling, scoring only 2.88 goals per game. Boone Jenner and Kirill Marchenko have scored 18 goals and 11 assists to lead the top line but the rest of the offense has struggled. Only four skaters have five goals or more and opponents can eliminate the hapless offense as a result.
The offense has struggled but the defense has let the Blue Jackets down, allowing 3.42 goals per game including four goals in their last game. Zach Werenski and Damon Severson have combined for 2.4 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net with ease. The one bright spot has been the play of goaltender Elvis Merzlikins who has a .907 save percentage and a 3.11 goals-against average on 527 shots with 2.0 goals saved above average.
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Best Bets for this Game
Full-Game Side Bet
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This is going to be a great game between two teams eager to improve in the Eastern Conference. The Blue Jackets look to step up at home but the Senators look to bounce back from two rough losses and take over this game. The Senators should create plenty of scoring chances against the Blue Jackets, who allow 3.42 goals per game, with Tim Stutzle, Claude Giroux, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating open shots with quick passes. The Senators look to limit the Blue Jackets' offense, which averages only 2.88 goals per game, with Jakob Chychrun, Travis Hamonic, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Joonas Korpisalo to make plenty of big saves. The Senators should win the game with a strong performance on the road.
Take the Senators money line as road Favorites.
Prediction: Senators (-145)
Full-Game Total Pick
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Both defenses have struggled and the upcoming game should see the two offenses stepping up and controlling this game. The Blue Jackets should pile on the goals against the Senators, who allow 3.47 goals per game, with Boone Jenner, Kirill Marchenko, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating open shots with quick passes. The Senators, who average 3.47 goals per game, should run up the score against the Blue Jackets, who allowed four goals in their last game, with Tim Stutzle, Claude Giroux, Brady Tkachuk, and the rest of the forward unit crashing the net on the rush and creating open shots with effective puck movement while Jakob Chychrun and Jake Sanderson pick apart the Blue Jackets from the point. The Over should cover in a high-scoring game with both offenses stepping up.
Take the Over on 6.5 goals.
Prediction: Over 6.5
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