Habs vs Sens Hockey Betting?
The Montreal Canadiens will try for their first regulation win against the Ottawa Senators this year on Friday night when they visit Canada`s Nation`s Capital for the final game in the five game season series.
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Montreal (43-27-4-3) at Ottawa (32-30-7-7)
When: 7:00 PM ET, Friday, April 4, 2014
Where: Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, Ontario
Broadcast: CBC, RDS
Habs vs. Sens Betting Lines
Odds: OFF (As of 1:30AM ET)
Total: OFF (As of 1:30AM ET)
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Senators Try to Stay Alive – Host Habs Friday Night
Montreal has already clinched a playoff berth but still has home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs on the line while the Senators are desperately clinging to feint hopes of qualifying for the post season. Ottawa is 2-0-2 against the Habs this season and know that that any loss down the stretch would be a virtual death blow to their postseason chances.
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The Montreal Canadiens have won eight of their last 10 games – one of their losses over that span however came against a team they are battling with for home ice in the first round of the playoffs – Tampa Bay. Montreal should be a hungry team after getting beaten 3-1 last time out – ready to pounce on a Senators team that will definitely be without Bobby Ryan and could be without Jason Spezza.
Peter Budaj has already been named starting goaltender for the Canadiens. He has just one win in his last five starts – limited starts at that and he is 0-3-0 with a 5.88 goals-against average in three games against Ottawa – yikes! But Carey Price who gets the deserved day off has given up four goals in each of the four games against Ottawa this year.
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Montreal’s offense has enjoyed themselves against Ottawa – particularly in the last two games where they have scored five goals in each – both OT wins. The team averages just 2.52 goals per game but they have been better than that the last couple of weeks. Thomas Vanek has five points in his past four games, Max Pacioretty has four goals in five games, PK Subban has three points in three games and Alexei Emelin has six points in nine games. Montreal is a fairly balance team and if history is any indication, the offense will have to be clicking on Friday night.
The Ottawa Senators know that they must win out in order to qualify for the playoffs – a 2-1 regulation loss to the Islanders Wednesday may have been the last straw. Without Bobby Ryan and Jason Spezza this team is clearly behind the eight ball as they play out the string.
Offensively the Sens have been good this year – 2.82 goals per game – they have scored 16 goals in four games against Montreal this season. Milan Michalek has four goals in his past four games, Ales Hemsky has four points in his last four games and Peter Wiercioch has two points in his last two games. The absence of their two offensive studs looms large Friday night as they hope to stay in the race.
Craig Anderson will get the call between the pipes Friday – he has been one of the reasons that Ottawa is still clinging to life. Anderson was 6-2-0 with a 1.88 GAA in eight matchups against the Canadiens, including the playoffs before he gave up five in the last meeting. Anderson is 1-1-0 with a 1.45 GAA and .948 save percentage in his last two starts overall
Dave’s FREE NHL Betting Prediction
A few trends to consider:
• MON are 7-1 in their last 8 vs. Atlantic.
• OTT are 2-7 in their last 9 vs. Eastern Conference.
• Over is 19-7-1 in OTT last 27 vs. Atlantic.
• OTT are 14-37 in their last 51 Fri. games.
• Home team is 12-4 in the last 16 meetings.
The lines aren’t available for this game yet but I am assuming the Habs will be favored. Either way I like the Sens to prevail – they have the honor of facing a totally ineffective Peter Budaj and they take on a team that may be due for a letdown after officially clinching a playoff spot. Ottawa is a prideful bunch – they would love nothing more than to make a statement against one of their most heated rivals. Take the home team to keep their slim hopes alive!
Pick: Ottawa Senators
