Boston Bruins vs Ottawa Senators Betting Picks

Ottawa opened its season Saturday with a 3-2 win at Toronto, settled in regulation, and Boston lost 4-1 at Minnesota that night, scoring once on the second night of a back-to-back. Boston's two wins this season were a 3-0 shutout of the Rangers and a 4-3 overtime win at Winnipeg. Tim Stützle and Thomas Chabot were both in Ottawa's opening lineup. Last season Boston finished a point ahead of Ottawa in the standings, 100 to 99, and the gap flatters the Bruins. Twelve of Boston's 45 wins were decided in overtime or a shootout, while six of Ottawa's 44 were. Regulation wins count only games won in the first 60 minutes, and Ottawa had 38 of them to Boston's 33. The Senators also scored 278 goals to Boston's 272 and allowed 246 to Boston's 250, a goal differential of +32 against +22, or +0.39 a game against +0.27. Ottawa is the right side on the moneyline tonight, and the team that wins more of the first 60 minutes should not need extra time to prove it.

Boston has moved into second place on the strength of a seven-game winning streak. The offense is sixth in the NHL in goals scored, while the defense is 12th in penalty killing. Ottawa comes off a 3-2 loss at home to Dallas, moving them to 3-1-3 over the last seven games—five of which were decided in extra time. Ottawa is ranked 31st in penalty killing, 29th in goals given up (3.59 per game), and 31st in save percentage. Play Boston to stay hot. 

Ottawa had won four of five before losing 4-3 in overtime to Montreal on Saturday, but now the Senators have had four days off to prepare for tonight's matchup with the Bruins, who they defeated 7-2 on Oct. 27. Boston is 2-9 its past 11 games against the Atlantic Division and 5-16 its past 21 Thursday games dating to last season. The Senators will try to snap Boston's four-game win streak and they have won five of the past six meetings. Ottawa has gone OVER six road games in a row and its past five games overall. The Bruins have gone OVER four of five overall and five straight against teams with losing records. Joonas Korpisalo is confirmed to start for Boston and he is 3-3-0 with a 3.49 goals-against average and an .882 save percentage. Take the Senators and the OVER.

Boston has dropped six of seven, scoring 22 goals. The offense is 19th on the power play and 14th in shooting percentage. The defense is eighth in penalty killing. In four road games, the offense has tallied 11 goals. Meanwhile, Ottawa has won two in a row, allowing one goal in each game. The offense is 16th in shooting percentage, with the team 3-2 UNDER the total at home. Three of the last five meetings between these division rivals have sailed UNDER. Play Boston/Ottawa UNDER the total.