PREMIUM
**$20 TUESDAY** >> Rogers' *10* TOTAL DOMINATION (Hit *10* Under TB/DET Monday!)
(NHL) Vancouver vs. Ottawa,
Total: 5.50 | 104.00 Over
Result: Win
Total: 5.50 | 104.00 Over
Result: Win
The set: The 3-0-2 Ottawa Senators return home to begin a five-game homestand against the 1-2-1 Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night. The Sens are back home, where they opened the new season by dropping a pair of shootout losses in their first two home games. However, Ottawa just completed the first three-game sweep through Western Canada in franchise history, winning at Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton. The Senators are certainly riding high but the same can't be said of the Canucks, who have dropped three in a row (all at home), since winning their season-opener 3-2 over Edmonton on Oct. 7 (also at home).
Vancouver: The Canucks' slide began against these Senators back on Oct. 10, losing a 3-2 shootout to Ottawa. Now, Vancouver opens a five-game road trip playing at the Canadian Tire Centre. A lack of offense has been the main culprit for the Canucks, who have been limited to two goals each in each of their three losses. The Canucks ranked 29th in offense in 2016-17 and featured the league's second-worst power play, with those struggles carrying over into this season. Vancouver is averaging 2.25 GPG (22nd) and ranks 25th on the power play. "You're not going to win a lot of games if that happens," acknowledged veteran forward Daniel Sedin. "You have to capitalize."
Ottawa: Not only are the Senators riding high after completing a 3-0 road trip with 6-0 and 6-1 wins the last two games but as they return home to begin a five-game homestand, head coach Guy Boucher said at Monday's practice that star defenseman Erik Karlsson is "100 percent" ready and "he will play tomorrow." What better way for a team to begin a homestand than to get its best player back on the ice?
The pick: The Senators were not only able to survive but also thrive in Karlsson's absence. A big part of the team's success can be attributed to special teams play. After going 0-for-16 on the power play in their first three games, the Senators scored a total of five goals with a man-advantage in Calgary and Edmonton. Ottawa is also a perfect 15-for-15 this season on the penalty kill. That matches up well against struggling Vancouver, which has scored just two goals on 23 power-play chances. A positive for the Canucks has been a penalty-killing unit that has operated at an 87.5 percent efficiency, tied for sixth best in the league. This all points to making the Under a 10* play.
Vancouver: The Canucks' slide began against these Senators back on Oct. 10, losing a 3-2 shootout to Ottawa. Now, Vancouver opens a five-game road trip playing at the Canadian Tire Centre. A lack of offense has been the main culprit for the Canucks, who have been limited to two goals each in each of their three losses. The Canucks ranked 29th in offense in 2016-17 and featured the league's second-worst power play, with those struggles carrying over into this season. Vancouver is averaging 2.25 GPG (22nd) and ranks 25th on the power play. "You're not going to win a lot of games if that happens," acknowledged veteran forward Daniel Sedin. "You have to capitalize."
Ottawa: Not only are the Senators riding high after completing a 3-0 road trip with 6-0 and 6-1 wins the last two games but as they return home to begin a five-game homestand, head coach Guy Boucher said at Monday's practice that star defenseman Erik Karlsson is "100 percent" ready and "he will play tomorrow." What better way for a team to begin a homestand than to get its best player back on the ice?
The pick: The Senators were not only able to survive but also thrive in Karlsson's absence. A big part of the team's success can be attributed to special teams play. After going 0-for-16 on the power play in their first three games, the Senators scored a total of five goals with a man-advantage in Calgary and Edmonton. Ottawa is also a perfect 15-for-15 this season on the penalty kill. That matches up well against struggling Vancouver, which has scored just two goals on 23 power-play chances. A positive for the Canucks has been a penalty-killing unit that has operated at an 87.5 percent efficiency, tied for sixth best in the league. This all points to making the Under a 10* play.
