The Bruins’ outlasted the Senators in a battle of attrition in their Game 1 victory on Wednesday and will look to go home with a 2-0 lead in the series with another win on Ottawa’s home ice this afternoon. Oddsmakers don’t have a ton of faith that Ottawa can level the series at one-game apiece, Sportsbook the home-side Sens with underdog odds on the moneyline for the second straight game.
- The Bruins are 1-6 SU and 0-7 on the puckline in their last 7 games as favorites against the Senators.
- The Senators are 13-0 on the puckline in their last 13 home games against winning teams.
- The total has gone UNDER in the Bruins' last 5 games.
That said, the first contest was one that could really have gone either way and if hadn’t been for Tuukka Rask making some big saves in key situations, the Senators, who held the Bruins to no shots in the second period, could have run away with it. The issue for Ottawa, like it’s been all season, was their inability to convert their odd-man rushes into goals.
Other than their conversion rate, the Sens’ game plan was executed to perfection in Game 1 and you can expect them to once again keep the Bruins on their own side of the blueline. Because of this, and the trend that’s seen the UNDER go 9-1-2 these playoffs, I’ll be on the UNDER 5 with quality scoring chances in this series coming at a premium.
At the beginning of the series, I predicted that Craig Anderson would have to steal a game or two for Ottawa and today would be a good time for him to do exactly that. In his four starts in the 2015 playoffs, Anderson accumulated a .972 save percentage but earned just two wins. He’s never gotten much goal support from his current team so he’ll have to take his game to another level if the Sens are to get through to the second round.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The visiting Boston Bruins opened as -120 moneyline favorites in this one at most online sportsbooks tracked at Odds Shark, including Sportsbook. The total opened at 5 for those preferring over under betting, watch for the line updates during the day at Sportsbook.
A 2.7-2.5 result in favor of the Bruins is the prediction by the Odds Shark handicapping pick engine. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NHL matchups here.
Boston Bruins vs Ottawa Senators Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Ottawa Senators bring a 44-29-10 record to the battle against the 45-31-7 Bruins. OVER/UNDER bettors have seen Ottawa go 32-48-3 so far and the Bruins go 37-38-8. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Ottawa vs Boston injuries news.
The NHL Power Rankings show a disparity between these teams, with the Ottawa Senators rated this week at No. 18 and the Boston Bruins sitting at No. 1.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up the Ottawa Senators No. 22-ranked offense (2.57 goals per game) against a Boston Bruins defense that ranks No. 9 at 2.57 goals per game allowed. The Senators Sportsbook has clicked at a 16.8% rate while the Bruins have a 85.82% rate on the penalty kill.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Last time out for Boston, they were a 2-1 Sportsbook as they battled the Senators on the road. Moneyline bettors who got the Bruins at -120 were rewarded, while the 3 combined goals moved the game UNDER for totals bettors.
- Boston is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Boston's last 5 games
- Boston is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
- Boston is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games on the road
- Ottawa is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
- Ottawa is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Ottawa's last 5 games
- Ottawa is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Boston home to Ottawa, Monday, April 17th
