Ottawa Senators vs. Detroit Red Wings Prediction, NHL Odds
The Ottawa Senators open a crucial stretch of 16 games that includes 12 road contests after seeing a two-game win streak halted in Thursday’s 4-3 loss to the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs. The Red Wings look to bounce back after dropping a 6-5 overtime decision to San Jose on Thursday night but have climbed into a tie for second place in the divisional standings during an impressive 6-1-1 run that has featured a trio of decisive victories on home ice.
The Red Wings are listed as -130 home favourites on the Saturday NHL odds. The Senators trail as +105 underdogs, and the total is pegged at 7.0.
Senators vs. Red Wings NHL Betting Odds
While the Senators have struggled in recent road dates with divisional rivals, falling to defeat in four of their past six, they have enjoyed consistent success when facing the Red Wings, winning 10 of their past 13 meetings including victories in four of their past six visits to the Motor City. These teams split a pair of matchups earlier this season, capped the Sens’ 5-4 home victory on November 16, but surrendered nine total goals in those contests, lifting the OVER to 10-3 of their past 13 dates.
This season’s edition of the Senators has been prone to streakiness, and has seen each of their previous two win streaks followed by three-game losing streaks. However, this club has enjoyed success in limited action away from Canadian Tire Centre, winning four of seven games to date, with each of those victories coming in their past five away contests including a pair of wins in Europe last month.
The Red Wings have filled the net during their recent surge, scoring five goals in each of their past four games to climb to second overall in the NHL with 3.84 goals scored per game. However, the Wings have also allowed an average of 4.33 goals against over their past three games, all of which have been against teams currently well out of playoff contention.
Ottawa Senators
Despite outshooting the Leafs by a wide 41-22 margin, the Senators once again failed to close the deal in Thursday’s loss to Toronto. Overall, the Sens have potted just 2.57 goals per game over their past seven outings, and to just eight total goals in their past three away contests.
Claude Giroux has remained one of the Senators’ steadiest producers during this tough first half. The veteran winger potted his third goal in four games on Thursday, and has piled up four goals and five assists over his past six appearances away from Canadian Tire Centre. Defenceman Jacob Bernard-Docker was rewarded for his recent steady play, potting his first career NHL goal on Thursday, and has now recorded consecutive and amassed a +4 rating over the past two games.
Detroit Red Wings
The Red Wings looked to be well on their way to another win after storming out to a 4-0 lead on Thursday night. However, Detroit saw that lead quickly evaporate as the Sharks responded with four straight goals on their way to a 6-5 OT win. That loss should serve as a wake-up call for a much-improved Red Wings squad that still has work to do in their own end.
While the Red Wings impressed while surrendering just seven total goals over the first five games on their current 6-1-1 run, Thursday’s defensive meltdown is not new. Detroit has now allowed four or more goals in nine of its past 19 games. Accordingly, the Red Wings need bigger contributions from their biggest stars. Dylan Larkin has pulled his weight while scoring six times over his past six games, and Robby Fabbri has contributed six goals in eight games. However, the duo of Lucas Raymond and leading scorer Alex DeBrincat have combined to pot just two total goals over the past six games.
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