The Ottawa Senators (23-31-12) visit the Pittsburgh Penguins (37-21-6) Tuesday at PPG Paints Arena for a 7 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Senators-Penguins sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.
Senators at Penguins: Projected starting goalies
Craig Anderson vs. Matt Murray
Anderson has suffered back-to-back regulation losses in which he allowed a total of six goals on 70 shots. The veteran is 9-15-2 through 27 starts and three relief appearances with a .901 save percentage and 3.21 goals against average.
Murray took three straight losses on the road to end February. He has slipped to 17-10-5 on the season with a .900 SV% and 2.85 GAA through 34 starts while splitting time with Tristan Jarry.
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Senators at Penguins: Odds, picks and betting tips
Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Odds last updated at 11 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Penguins 5, Senators 3
Moneyline (ML)
The Penguins (-304) have uncharacteristically lost six straight games, including being shut out twice and an 0-4 road trip. They most recently took a 5-0 loss against the lowly San Jose Sharks Saturday. Still, they’re third in the Metropolitan Division and headed for the postseason, as they return home to where they’re 22-6-4 on the season.
The Senators (+240) have won a rare two straight games, but it shouldn’t inspire any false confidence. They had to go to a shootout to earn a 4-3 win over the cellar-dwelling Detroit Red Wings Saturday. The Sens, just 6-18-6 on the road, won’t be upsetting the Penguins. PASS and look to the spread.
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Penguins to win in regulation, overtime or a shootout returns a profit of just $3.29. It’s too chalky.
Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
The Penguins beat the Sens 5-2 Dec. 30 in Pittsburgh in the season’s first head-to-head clash. Back the PENGUINS (-1.5, -121) to win by at least 2 goals in the second showdown. The Pens are just 14-18 ATS at home, while the Sens are 15-15 ATS on the road, but the Penguins are the better hockey team in every area. Expect a motivated Penguins team in its return home.
Over/Under (O/U)
Take the OVER 6.5 (+135) for the total in regular time on an alternate line. There just isn’t enough value in the base projection of 5.5 total goals with the Over paying out at just -154. A similar result to the season’s first meeting is what we’re expecting Tuesday.
Esten’s NHL betting record: 262-245
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