After getting absolutely shellacked in Game 5, the Sens will attempt to pick themselves up for a potential series-tying game tonight and they’ll do it as massive home underdogs. The Sens’ disappearing act on Sunday is a routine they’ve practised with frequency this postseason but what we’ve seen in rounds gone by is Ottawa rally after getting thumped.
For Pittsburgh, a win tonight would give the team a seventh consecutive playoff series win. That’s something that hasn’t happened since the Detroit Red Wings accomplished the feat in 2009, when they met the Penguins in the second of two straight Stanley Cup finals.
The Pens will be on the front foot tonight after two straight wins (outscoring the Sens 10-2) and with a netminder who’s given them an immediate boost (stopping 68 of the 71 shots he’s seen) since relieving Marc-Andre Fleury in Game 3, they’ll be a tough team to beat. Because of that, sportsbooks have pegged them as a huge fave in Game 6 and you’ll have to lay some serious chalk if you think they go through this evening to meet the Preds in the Cup final.
That said, I find it hard to believe that the Sens will just roll over and let Pittsburgh walk past them on their home ice. Erik Karlsson and Craig Anderson left Game 5 once the score got out of hand so they should both be plenty rested for their attempt at keeping their team alive for at least one more game in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Betting fans looking to side with the Ottawa Senators in this one found them earlier as 125 underdogs on the NHL money line at Sportsbook. Betting the over under total instead? It was hovering near 5.5 at its open earlier today at Sportsbook and may have moved.
Odds Shark computer prediction handicapping models run on this game pick a 3.8-1.6 victory for the Penguins. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NHL matchups here.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Ottawa Senators Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Pittsburgh Penguins will try to spoil to the party on Tuesday; they are 61-25-13 this season, while the Senators are 54-34-11. Pittsburgh is 55-38-6 on the totals; Ottawa is 39-52-8. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Ottawa vs Pittsburgh injuries news.
The Ottawa Senators sit at No. 18 in the current NHL power poll here at Odds Shark, while the Pittsburgh Penguins sit at a No. 5 on the same chart.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up the Ottawa Senators No. 22-ranked offense (2.58 goals per game) against a Pittsburgh Penguins defense that ranks No. 16 at 2.77 goals per game allowed. The Senators Sportsbook has clicked at a 15.81% rate while the Penguins have a 80.78% rate on the penalty kill.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Next Betting Matchups
Pittsburgh home to Ottawa, Thursday, May 25th