The Ottawa Senators (21-30-11) visit the Columbus Blue Jackets (30-19-14) for a 7 p.m. ET game at Nationwide Arena Monday. We analyze the Senators-Blue Jackets odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.
Senators at Blue Jackets: Projected starting goalies
Craig Anderson vs. Elvis Merzlikins
Anderson is the lean over Marcus Hogberg for this start in Columbus. Both Senators goalkeepers have similar numbers on the season; Anderson owns a 3.21 goals against average and a .901 save percentage. The veteran allowed three goals on 37 shots against the Montreal Canadiens Saturday. He stopped 18 of 19 shots in a loss at Columbus Nov. 25.
Merzlikins owns a fine 2.37 GAA and .922 SV% in his rookie season. He’s been fabulous over 14 games at home (1.51 GAA, .950 SV%), but the 25-year-old native of Latvia has had some recent struggles. Over his last four appearances, Merzlikins has logged a .869 SV%.
Place a sports bet on this hockey action or other games at BetMGM.
Senators at Blue Jackets: Odds, picks and betting tips
Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 10:50 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Columbus 3, Ottawa 1
Moneyline (ML)
Merzlikins put together an impressive run against some solid offensive clubs in early February (.953 SV% over five games). Ottawa goes on the road after a six-game, 11-day homestand; they’re 1-7 in road openers after home stands.
Still, analytics on both teams come in as bearish when looking at their win-loss records. The lean is a small one on COLUMBUS (-227).
Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
Ottawa’s last six losses — all by multiple goals — have included a combined deficit of 18 goals. The Jackets’ most recent wins were mostly by a lone goal. We’re going back a ways to get to that comparison, as Columbus hasn’t won a game since Feb. 7.
The Blue Jackets are a slight lean, though, and the price — COLUMBUS -1.5 (+110) — again gives us some value.
Over/Under (O/U)
The Under is 26-12 in Columbus’ last 38 games as a favorite. Recent numbers for both teams include more goals yielded than perhaps were warranted by underlying statistics.
TAKE THE UNDER 5.5 (+100) as the best play in what is the lone NHL game of the day.
Want some action on this matchup? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.
Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=4 category=2059]