NHL Odds, Preview, Prediction: Senators vs Blackhawks (Saturday, February 17)
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) Pictured: Connor Bedard
Senators vs. Blackhawks Odds
| Senators Odds | -185 |
| Blackhawks Odds | +154 |
| Over / Under | 6.5 -110 / -110 |
Here's everything you need to know about the Ottawa Senators vs. Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday, February 17 – our expert NHL prediction and pick.
Connor Bedard is back. That's the most important detail about this game. The Chicago Blackhawks' star rookie is expected to be in the lineup for his second game since suffering a fractured jaw and his return should help turn around an offense that has been close to non-existent since his injury.
Mired in a lengthy losing streak, the Blackhawks will wrap up a five-game homestand on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Senators are kicking off a three-game road trip.
Here's why the Blackhawks could get back into the win column Saturday. My Senators vs. Blackhawks pick is below.
The Senators' first season under new owner Michael Andlauer has been rife with challenges, but the team had reeled off four straight wins before closing out the homestand with a disappointing 5-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks.
Thursday was a rough night for Joonas Korpisalo, who faced just 20 shots. Anton Forsberg is now available after recovering from a groin injury and could get the nod here after giving up three goals to the Blue Jackets in his return to action on Tuesday.
Forsberg has a sub-.900 save percentage, but he's 8-8-0 for the year and his -4.1 goals saved above expected is significantly better than Korpisalo's -14.8.
At 5-on-5, the Senators are just slightly below average, controlling 49.07% of expected goals.
But with shaky goaltending and a porous defense, it's no surprise that the Senators' penalty killing is also among the worst in the league — though they'd gone five games without giving up a shorthanded goal before Anaheim went 2-for-2 on Thursday. Ottawa's power play is also a liability as it's just 2-for-18 over the past five games and scoring just 15.8% of the time this season.
One bit of positive news: key defensemen Jake Sanderson and Artem Zub both practiced Friday, so they should return to the lineup from short-term injury absences on Saturday.
Bedard was a sight for sore eyes at the United Center when he returned to the lineup after missing just under six weeks.
On Thursday, Bedard played 21:17 and tallied one assist. However, he wasn't able to ignite the offense beyond that and Chicago fell to 0-7-1 in its past eight games.
With just nine goals scored in those eight games, Chicago now ranks last in the league in goals per game and on the power play. Also, their 5-on-5 expected goals share of 42.37% is only ahead of the San Jose Sharks.
Petr Mrazek should be between the pipes on Saturday after getting a rest against the Penguins. In the grand scheme of things, he's been a bright spot for Chicago with a .909 save percentage and 5.6 goals saved above expected.
And the offensive outage may be set to start swinging upward now that Bedard is healthy and some other injured players are getting close to returning. Based on Friday's practice, Taylor Raddysh could play, but it doesn't sound like Anthony Beauvillier or Andreas Athanasiou will be ready for Saturday.
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Senators vs. Blackhawks
Betting Pick & Prediction
Saturday marks the first of two meetings between Ottawa and Chicago. The Blackhawks have lost the first four games of this homestand, but have overall been much better at home (10-14-2) than on the road this season. Meanwhile, the Senators are a sketchy 7-13-0 on the road.
Bedard played well against the Penguins and his timing should be even better on Saturday. That, plus a good outing from Mrazek, could make Chicago a tougher out than Ottawa might be prepared for — even after just laying an egg against Anaheim.
At +158 on FanDuel, there's some good value available for bettors who choose to back the home underdogs. Bet on Bedard to help the Blackhawks get back into the win column for just the fourth time in 2024.
Pick: Blackhawks Moneyline (+158 at FanDuel) | Play to +135
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