NHL Odds, Pick, Prediction: Bruins vs. Senators (Saturday, Feb. 12)
André Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images. Pictured: Ottawa Senators goaltender Anton Forsberg.
- The Boston Bruins take on the Ottawa Senators in a Saturday NHL matinee.
- The Bruins enter this game as -185 moneyline favorites on the first leg of their road trip.
- Tony Sartori breaks down the matchup and explains why he's expecting the total to stay under the number in a defensive clash.
Bruins vs. Senators Odds
| Bruins Odds | -150 |
| Senators Odds | +120 |
| Over/Under | 5.5 |
| Time | 12:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
| Odds via DraftKings. Get up-to-the-minute NHL Odds here. | |
The Boston Bruins start their road trip Saturday against a fellow Atlantic Division squad in Ottawa. The game will be the second meeting this season between these teams, with the Bruins winning the first tilt by a 3-2 score.
Will we see another low-scoring affair or can these teams light the lamp in this intriguing matinee?
Boston Bruins
The Bruins enter this clash on a two-game slide following their 4-2 loss to Pittsburgh and 6-0 defeat against Carolina. The offense hit a wall against the Hurricanes without their two primary playmakers, Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron, who are both out again for suspension and injury, respectively.
While Boston will miss its two superstar forwards, it will still have optimism in this matchup with one of the league's best blue lines. Superstar defenseman Charlie McAvoy often gets overlooked for how elite he is because he plays with high-goal scorers such as Marchand and David Pastrnak.
Boston currently ranks first in the league in 5-on-5 expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA) and first in average xG value of opposing 5-on-5 shot attempts. These stats are a testament to how McAvoy and company have shut down opposing offenses all season.
Jeremy Swayman has been the confirmed goaltender for the Bruins. Swayman will look to solidify himself into a steady role as the Bruins' top goaltender, as Tuukka Rask announced this week he will no longer attempt his comeback and officially hung the laces up.
Swayman has been a solid young goaltender, as he enters with a 0.914 SV%. There have been six or fewer goals scored in Swayman's last seven starts.
Ottawa Senators
Unders have been an extremely hot bet for Ottawa recently, with six or fewer total goals being scored in nine of their last 10 games. This streak of low-scoring games has mostly been attributed to their poor offense, especially with primary goal-scorers Josh Norris and Drake Batherson out of the lineup.
The Senators have scored three or fewer goals in seven of their last 10 games. Currently, Ottawa ranks 23rd in the league in 5-on-5 xG for per 60 minutes and 24th in average xG value of 5-on-5 shot attempts.
Anton Forsberg is expected to get the start between the pipes. Forsberg has been solid, posting a 0.911 SV%. There have been six or fewer goals scored in five of his last eight starts.
Bruins vs. Senators Pick
We saw a low-scoring contest earlier this season when Boston beat Ottawa in a 3-2 win. Tight contests have been a common occurrence between these two teams over the last few seasons, as there have been six or fewer goals in five of its last seven matchups.
While I already talked about how the unders trend has been hot for Ottawa, it has also been hitting in Boston's games as well. Over the Bruins' last five contests, four of them saw six or fewer goals.
I like the trends to continue for both these teams, especially with the number of playmakers out for each squad.
Pick: Total Under 6 Goals (-105 — Play up to -125)
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