Ottawa @ MONTREAL
Ottawa -½ +240 over MONTREAL

BEST LINES:  Pinnacle -½ +236 BET 365 -½ +240 SportsInteraction -½ +240 5DIMES -½ +240

Posted at 1:45 PM EST.

7:35 PM EST. The Canadiens are a good team. They’re not a Cup contender but they have the possession numbers to back up how dominant they can be for stretches at a time. Claude Julien had similar possession numbers when he coached the Bruins and it would therefore be reasonable to assume that he stresses it. Montreal is coming off a misleading 3-1 loss to the Sharks and have now lost six of its last seven games despite some outstanding puck possession numbers over that span. Montreal outshot San Jose 41-29 and in a recent 2-1 loss to Carolina last week, they outshot the ‘Canes 49-22 and lost 2-1. The difference between Montreal’s early season success and recent failures is all in their shooting percentages. The Habs had a very high shooting percentage in their first 15 games but have fallen well below the league average since. Montreal is in the midst of a shooting % slump with two goals or less in five of their last six games. When that inevitably improves, Montreal will start racking up more wins.

Additionally, Montreal’s goaltending is getting worse by the week, as Carey Price has lost it while backup Antti Niemi lost it years ago. Price ranks 54th in GSAA and and 47th in Quality Save % while Niemi is just slightly better. Weak goaltending makes the Habs a massive risk when spotting a price like this and although we like Montreal, we’ll like them much better on their upcoming road trip, where they will be an underdog in two of the three games.

Enter the Senators, the Rodney Dangerfield of the NHL. Ottawa is not a great puck possession team and in fact, rank dead last in Corsi for % during five-on-five-play but we’re not going to concern ourselves with that here, as Ottawa is 12-12-3 and are in striking position to make the playoffs. Furthermore, the Sens last two games were regarded as their best six periods of hockey this season so the team is gaining confidence, they’re highly committed to doing well and they play with a chip on their shoulder because of all the disrespect they are being shown. Ottawa can score goals with the best of them and as a dog in this price range against a team that is gripping their sticks a little too tight, the Sens are worthy of a bet here.

Therefore:

OT included - Ottawa +165 for 1 unit.

Regulation only - Ottawa -½ +240 for 1 unit. 

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Our Pick

Ottawa -½ +240 (Risking 2 units - To Win: 4.80)

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Chicago +167 over Ottawa