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Andrew Rogers
Ottawa Senators vs. Chicago Blackhawks: NHL Odds, Prediction
The Chicago Blackhawks are quickly playing their way out of the Western Conference playoff picture as they look to turn things around Wednesday night against the visiting Ottawa Senators. Chicago has lost nine of 10 games so far in February, as a combination of bad puck luck and shoddy goaltending have left the Blackhawks trailing by double digits in the West wild-card race. Ottawa knows the feeling – it has been out of the East playoff race for most of the calendar year.
Senators vs Blackhawks Betting Analysis
Oddsmakers are prepared to forgive the Blackhawks’ dismal play this month, making them a heavy favourite against the lowly Senators. Ottawa has won just five of its previous 26 games away from Canadian Tire Centre – and has been even worse against inferior competition, losing eight consecutive games against teams with losing home records. Chicago could use a soft home game – it has dropped eight of its previous nine contests at United Center.
Bettors are leaning toward the Blackhawks at an 80-percent clip, while the majority are also taking the under on the six-goal total. Ottawa has exceeded the number in six of its previous seven games and are 4-1 O/U in their previous five road encounters. But the Blackhawks are trending in the opposite direction, going under in nine of their past 11 games vs. Atlantic Division foes and posting just seven overs in their previous 27 home games.
Ottawa Senators
Ottawa has made fans quite happy over the past few weeks; unfortunately, those fans cheer for other teams. The Senators have surrendered 21 goals over their previous four road games, giving up six power-play goals over that stretch. And that trend is a good bet to continue on Wednesday, after the Senators were torched 8-2 by the Blackhawks in their previous encounter Jan. 9. It also doesn’t help that Ottawa has won just once in its last eight games in Chicago.
Chicago Blackhawks
The Blackhawks haven’t missed the playoffs in a decade, but that streak is in serious jeopardy. Chicago has won just eight of 25 games since losing starting netminder Corey Crawford, and has been a defensive mess so far in February, having surrendered an average of 3.60 goals per game – fourth-most in the NHL. For those of you who haven’t lost faith, the Blackhawks are installed at +10,000 on Sports Interaction to rebound and win the Stanley Cup.
