Minnesota Wild vs Ottawa Senators Betting Picks

Minnesota's defense is fourth in the NHL in goals given up (2.84 per game) and tied for No. 1 in save percentage (.910). The offense is 18th in shooting percentage, averaging 3 goals in their last seven road contests. Ottawa comes off a 4-1 win at home over Buffalo. They've allowed 22 goals in their last 11 home contests (2.00 goals per game). Ottawa is on a 13-8-1 run UNDER the total. Play Minnesota/Ottawa UNDER the total. 

Ottawa is back on its feet after getting a much-needed, 6-3, road win against Columbus two days ago. That halted a three-game losing streak. Minnesota went 0-2 against the Senators last season, losing 6-0 on the road and 3-1 at home. This is the team's first meeting this season. The Wild are in a flat spot, fat and happy after a 5-2 home win against the Stars this past Thursday. The Wild also could be distracted after the team made a blockbuster deal on Friday with Vancouver, trading Marco Rossi, Zeev Buium, and Liam Öhgren for Quinn Hughes. Ottawa is 13th in scoring, while Minnesota ranks 24th. The Senators also rank second in winning face-offs, while Minnesota is 27th in that category. Take the Senators.

Ottawa recently won six in a row, but then lost its next two games against Edmonton and Winnipeg. Minnesota had a four-game losing streak before winning its past two against Chicago and Dallas. Leevi Merilainen is expected to start for the Senators after being recalled from the AHL on Friday. He is 1-1-0 and has allowed six goals on 39 shots in limited NHL action. He stopped 12 of 14 shots in relief of Linus Ullmark against Edmonton last Sunday. Ottawa has won five of seven against Western Conference opponents. The Wild have averaged just 1.83 goals their past six games. Take the Senators.

Minnesota has won 11 of the past 13 meetings although Ottawa did win the only one this season, a 2-1 shootout victory on Nov. 18. The Senators have won an unexpected five in a row after defeating Winnipeg 3-2 on Saturday, but they still have the third-worst record in the Eastern Conference. Minnesota has had two days to think about a tough 2-1 overtime loss to Vegas, which put the Wild's playoff hopes in jeopardy. They can't afford any more losses the rest of the season to have a chance. The Wild have been pulling their goalie in overtime on occasion to secure an extra point in the standings by getting an outright win. Ottawa is 18-41 its past 59 games against the Central Division and it has lost 22 of 35 road games this season. Joonas Korpisalo will be in net for Ottawa and Marc-Andre Fleury for Minnesota. Take the Wild as a Max Play.