Vancouver Canucks at Ottawa Senators Betting Preview
Opening Moneyline: Vancouver -115 / Ottawa -105 O/U 5.5 goals
Time: 7:30 PM EST Thursday February 4, 2010
Tonight in a match of 2 teams that are playing well the red-hot Ottawa Senators host the Vancouver Canucks. If it were not for Washington's 11-game winning streak the Senators would be the hottest team in the NHL, as they have won 10 straight and now only trail the Buffalo Sabres by 3 points in the Northeast Division. Even though the Canucks have lost their last game, which snapped their 7 game win streak, they are still in 1st place in the Northwest Division with only a 2-point lead over the Colorado Avalanche.
This season Ottawa is 20-8-3 at home and Vancouver is 11-12-1 on the road.
In their last games Vancouver lost to the Montreal Canadiens 3-2 on Tuesday night and Ottawa beat the Buffalo Sabres 4-2 last night.
Even though the Senators are on the longest winning streak in franchise history Ottawa has not beat Vancouver at home in 8 years.
The Senators' offense, which ranks 12th in the league scoring an average of 2.73 goals per game, and defense has been stellar during their win streak scoring 34 goals while only giving up 12.
It will be hard for the Canucks to hold off the Avalanche in the Northwest Division, as they on a current 14-game road trip, as the GM Palace in Vancouver will be the hockey venue for the upcoming Olympics and it is getting prepped for the big event.
Ottawa will have to play good defense tonight against the top line of Vancouver that includes Henrik Sedin, who leads the league in points (78), as they have 14 goals and 26 assists over the last 8 games. Much of that responsibility falls on Senators' G Brian Elliot (18 wins 2.48 GAA save percentage 91.1%), who has been playing great in the win streak.
The Canucks have the 3rd highest scoring in the offense in the league (3.24 goals per game).
Vancouver G Roberto Luongo (29 wins 2.33 GAA save percentage 91.9%) has to play well against a scorching Senators' offense that is averaging 3.4 goals per game in their last 10 games. Luongo has played well this season, as he ranks 5th in the league in wins, 8th in GAA, and 12th in save percentage.
The Canucks' defense, which has given up an average of 2.42 goals per game this season, has to especially worry about Mike Fisher, who leads Ottawa in goals (19), and Daniel Alfredsson, who leads Ottawa in points (44) and assists (28).
Vancouver is 7-1 in their last 8 games and has an Over record of 3-1-1 in their last 5 road games against teams with a home winning percentage of greater than 60%.
Ottawa has won 10 straight, is 4-0 in their last 4 games against teams with a winning percentage above 60%, and has an Under record of 6-0 in their last 6 home games.
Our Selection : Both of these team are playing well as of late. Ottawa has won 10 in a row, Vancouver is 7-1 in their last 8 and if wasn't for Montreal's goalie Halak who made 45 saves, the Canucks would be going for their 9 win in a row. Ottawa played a tough one last night in Buffalo scoring 2 goal in the final minute to beat the Sabres. Vancouver had the night off and will be ready to end the Senators streak tonight. The Canucks have more fire power and the best goalie in the land. The linesmaker at 5Dimes have Vancouver at -.5 +139 in 60 mins. Take Vancouver -.5 +139 in 60 mins
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NHL Handicapping
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