NHL
Sports Interaction Staff
October 17, 2017

Vancouver Canucks vs. Ottawa Senators: NHL Odds, Prediction

The only Eastern Conference team without a loss in regulation is about to get even better. The Ottawa Senators look to extend their season-opening point streak to six games as they welcome the Vancouver Canucks to the Canadian capital Tuesday night. Ottawa posted three wins and a pair of overtime losses without elite defenseman Erik Karlsson, who returns to action Tuesday following off-season surgery on his injured ankle.

Canucks vs. Senators

Moneyline: Senators -190

Date: Tuesday, October 17, 7:30 p.m. ET

Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, Ont.

NHL Odds and Betting Analysis

The Senators’ season kicked off with disappointing home shootout losses to Washington and Detroit – but after steamrolling through Western Canada with wins over Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver by a 15-3 margin, oddsmakers believe in the Sens. With Karlsson out of action, the Senators have relied on balanced scoring, getting multiple goals from seven different players. Ottawa has dominated the Pacific, winning 29 of its last 40 games against the division.

Taking a look at Tuesday’s NHL odds board, Bettors are behind the home side, riding 88 percent in favor of the Senators. They’re also expecting offensive fireworks, with a 75-percent majority siding with the over-5.5 play. Ottawa has gone over in 36 of its previous 53 meetings with Pacific Division foes, while the Canucks have played over the total in four straight contests after scoring two goals or fewer in their previous game. That said, the teams have gone under in four of their last five meetings.

Vancouver Canucks

The Canucks kick off a five-game Eastern Conference road trip looking for answers after recording three out of a possible eight points on their four-game season-opening homestand. An offensive boost starts with getting more out of Daniel and Henrik Sedin, who have combined for four points and a minus-six rating. Vancouver has won just 20 of its previous 61 games against Eastern Conference opponents, and ending that slide will require more offense.

Ottawa Senators

A hot start has vaulted Ottawa to a +600 option to win the Atlantic Division, and the return of Karlsson should help keep the good times rolling. Karlsson led the team in assists (54) and points (71) last season, though he was held without a point in two meetings with the Canucks a season ago. The Senators have won the last three games in the head-to-head series, surrendering just two goals in that span.