The Dallas Stars registered a ridiculous 30 shots in the second period to erase a three-goal deficit against the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday and went on to defeat the Ducks 5-3 for their third victory in four games to open the season. The Stars will look to snap a four-game losing streak against the Ottawa Senators when the teams do battle at Canadian Tire Centre on Monday. Sportsbooks opened the Stars as -165 road favorites with a total of 6.
- The Stars are 0-4 SU in their last four games vs the Senators (avg. losing margin: 1.5).
- The total has gone OVER in five of the Stars’ last seven games (avg. combined score: 6.86).
- The total has gone UNDER in four of the Stars’ last five games vs the Senators (avg. combined score: 5.0).
Senators have played well above expectations so far
After a disastrous offseason, Ottawa was projected by many to be the worst team in the league this year but has fared surprisingly well. The 2-2-1 Senators produced a strong effort on Saturday, rolling over Los Angeles 5-1, and have earned points in three of their first five games.
Rookie Brady Tkachuk has registered two goals and three assists in his first three NHL contests after missing two due to injury. The Senators, who are 5-for-16 on the power play, will likely be without Alex Formenton (concussion), Ryan Dzingel (lower body) and Cody Ceci (upper body).
Alexander Radulov became the fourth player in Stars franchise history to score at least one goal in four straight games to start the season, joining Mike Modano, Dino Ciccarelli and Tim Young. The Russian sniper is second on the club with nine points, one behind Tyler Seguin (three goals, seven assists).
Is another UNDER in store?
The UNDER has been cashing in this series, as four of the past five meetings between the Stars and Senators have gone below the closing total with an average combined score of five goals. In the Stars’ four-game losing streak vs Ottawa, their average losing margin comes in at 1.5 goals. Dallas is also 3-9 SU in its past 12 games when coming off a win.
Bishop, Anderson slated to get the start in net
Ben Bishop and Craig Anderson are listed as the probable starting goaltenders in this one. Bishop (2-1-0, 2.35 goals-against average, .924 save percentage), who was rested on Saturday in favor of backup Anton Khudobin, is 9-0-4 with a .932 save percentage against Ottawa in his career. Anderson (2-1-1, 3.53 GAA, .913 SP) has already faced 161 shots through four games but is doing a great job of holding down the fort in between the pipes for the young Sens.
My pick: take the UNDER
While I’m tempted to pick the Stars on the moneyline, Dallas’ past struggles against Ottawa and the Senators’ surprisingly solid start to the year have me staying away. Instead, I’m banking on the UNDER trend continuing and betting on this one staying low-scoring once again tonight.
