PREMIUM
Rogers' 10* NHL PLAY OF THE DAY >> SIZZLING 22-9 L31 Sides!
(NHL) Ottawa vs. Detroit,
Money Line: -123.00 Detroit (Home)
Result: Win
Money Line: -123.00 Detroit (Home)
Result: Win
The set-up: The 12-17-8 Ottawa Senator are in Detroit on Wednesday to take on the 15-16-7 Red Wings. The teams' records speak for themselves. Both saw their respective seasons take a downward turn with seven-game losing streaks beginning in mid-November. Detroit's skid ignited a tailspin in which the team lost 13 of 16 games (3-8-5), before posting impressive victories over the New York Rangers (3-2 in a shootout) and Pittsburgh Penguins (4-1) to open its current five-game homestand. As for Ottawa, the Senators have not shown any signs of halting their spiral, suffering a 17th loss in a 21-game span (4-14-3) in a 5-0 thrashing by visiting Boston this past Saturday night.
Ottawa: I guess Ottawa can hope 2018 brings a fresh start? Things can't get worse, can they? Ottawa held its annual team skills competition one day after the drubbing by Boston. Yet the most glaring issue facing the team is scoring as the Senators were shut out in five of their last 13 games. "We've put ourselves in a hole where we are going to need a fantastic run and we're going to need help," said forward Mark Stone, who leads the team with 15 goals and 34 points. "We've put ourselves in a deep, deep hole.Ottawa takes the ice averaging 2.62 GPG, ranking 28th in a 31-team league. Defensively, the Senators are allowing 3.32 GP, which ranks 29th.
Detroit: Unlike Ottawa, at least Detroit can feel good about the final two games of the calendar year (see above). Gustav Nyquist dipped to 12 goals last season, after amassing 72 goals over a three-season span. However, he matched last year's total by scoring twice in Sunday's win over the Penguins. Captain Henrik Zetterberg assisted on both of Nyquist's tallies, giving him 11 points in nine games (27 points on the season). Center Dylan Larkin leads Detroit with 32 points but has only six goals.Good news is on the way as Anthony Mantha, who leads the team with 13 goals, practiced fully Tuesday and pronounced himself ready to return to the lineup.
The pick: The Red Wings have been playing better at home lately, as they've won three in a row at at Little Caesars Arena, the first time since last Jan. 14-18 that Detroit's put together three consecutive home ice wins. It's also good news that goalie Jimmy Howard has allowed just seven goals in his last four starts, plus in two meetings with Ottawa this season, he's allowed just three scores. Make Detroit a 10* play.
Ottawa: I guess Ottawa can hope 2018 brings a fresh start? Things can't get worse, can they? Ottawa held its annual team skills competition one day after the drubbing by Boston. Yet the most glaring issue facing the team is scoring as the Senators were shut out in five of their last 13 games. "We've put ourselves in a hole where we are going to need a fantastic run and we're going to need help," said forward Mark Stone, who leads the team with 15 goals and 34 points. "We've put ourselves in a deep, deep hole.Ottawa takes the ice averaging 2.62 GPG, ranking 28th in a 31-team league. Defensively, the Senators are allowing 3.32 GP, which ranks 29th.
Detroit: Unlike Ottawa, at least Detroit can feel good about the final two games of the calendar year (see above). Gustav Nyquist dipped to 12 goals last season, after amassing 72 goals over a three-season span. However, he matched last year's total by scoring twice in Sunday's win over the Penguins. Captain Henrik Zetterberg assisted on both of Nyquist's tallies, giving him 11 points in nine games (27 points on the season). Center Dylan Larkin leads Detroit with 32 points but has only six goals.Good news is on the way as Anthony Mantha, who leads the team with 13 goals, practiced fully Tuesday and pronounced himself ready to return to the lineup.
The pick: The Red Wings have been playing better at home lately, as they've won three in a row at at Little Caesars Arena, the first time since last Jan. 14-18 that Detroit's put together three consecutive home ice wins. It's also good news that goalie Jimmy Howard has allowed just seven goals in his last four starts, plus in two meetings with Ottawa this season, he's allowed just three scores. Make Detroit a 10* play.
