Inter-conference action on Tuesday night as the Ottawa Senators head to the ‘Gateway City’ to take on the St. Louis Blues. Ottawa has more or less been treading water this season. They’re currently 9-7-4 for 22 points on the season and enter this contest with a record of 4-4-2 in their last 10 games. The St. Louis Blues are in a five team battle for the best record in the Western Conference along with Calgary, Anaheim, Nashville and Vancouver. The Blues come into this contest playing very good hockey having won 7 of their last 10 games.
Obviously it’s possible to get a different statistical picture of a NHL team depending on how you slice the numbers but Ottawa doesn’t appear to be heading in the right direction. They’ve lost 6 of their last 8 and while that number includes some losses in shootout and very close games the reality is that the Senators aren’t winning at the moment. Robin Lehner will be in net tonight for Ottawa. The Senators goaltending situation is fluid at the moment and with some good play Lehner could end up with the starting job by the end of the year. That being said, Lehner averages a full goal against per game more than St. Louis starter Brian Elliot.
Speaking of the Blues’ goaltending situation, there hasn’t been much drop off when backup Jake Allen gets the start. Elliot leads the NHL in goals against average (1.90) while Allen is #4 with a 2.00 mark. St. Louis is currently the best scoring defense in hockey with a fractionally better goals against per game mark (2.05) than Nashville (2.10). Ottawa is middle of the pack, tied with Washington for 13th. The Senators do have marginally better offensive numbers than the Blues but that’s of little significance against the nasty St. Louis defense. Blues will likely be without defenseman Jay Bouwmester tonight.
Blues playing great hockey right now winning 10 of their last 13 games. Ottawa isn’t a great road team (4-5-1) while St. Louis is tough at home (8-3-0). High price on this game but it sure appears to be justified. Blues should continue their winning ways with a victory at home tonight.
BET ST. LOUIS BLUES -240 OVER OTTAWA SENATORS
NHL Hockey Betting: Ottawa Senators at St. Louis Blues
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