The Ottawa Senators and Carolina Hurricanes are scheduled to meet at the PNC Arena in Raleigh tonight. The Senators are looking to keep their spirits up after another embarrassing loss on Wednesday night. Perhaps a back-to-back to Raleigh will help them play looser and less stiff.
The Senators were bounced at home by a score of 6-2 against a Vancouver Canucks team that has been the subject of criticism this season. This was their sixth straight loss, with their most recent win on November 13 to the Pittsburgh Penguins, 6-3. That’s their only win in their previous 13 attempts.
"This is a perfect chance for us to show how tough we are as a group."
Pre-game comments from #Sens head coach D.J. Smith ahead of tonight's contest with Carolina #GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/NRXHdVlQoq
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) December 2, 2021
Ottawa has slipped to 4-15-1 with just 9 points going into Raleigh on Thursday night. They are only the team in the NHL that hasn’t recorded at least 10 points this season. Is tonight the night that they’re finally going to get over the hump and reach a 10-point milestone?
Even if the Senators force overtime and get a point, Sens’ fans have to be thrilled with that result versus a 15-5-1 Hurricanes squad. Carolina hasn’t been at their best as of late, so maybe they are vulnerable for an upset in this one. They are playing their worst hockey of the year with four losses in their last five attempts.
A big month lies ahead ?#WallpaperWednesday pic.twitter.com/NOBEGRggDJ
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) December 2, 2021
The Hurricanes couldn’t bounce back after a 4-2 loss to the Washington Capitals on Sunday. They were dropped by the Dallas Stars on Tuesday by a score of 4-1. It’s hard to avoid a rough patch, especially considering how hot they were playing to open the season. This doesn’t mean that the Hurricanes aren’t good.
A matchup against the stumbling Senators might be what they need to get their campaign back on track. Head below for our free Senators vs. Hurricanes pick on December 2, 2021.
Ottawa Senators vs. Carolina Hurricanes Live Odds and Betting History:
The following odds are courtesy of BetOnline:
| Teams | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa Senators | +1.5 (+120) | +280 | Over 6 (-105) |
| Carolina Hurricanes | -1.5 (-140) | -319 | Under 6 (-115) |
| Team Data | Ottawa Senators | Carolina Hurricanes |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Record | 4-15-1 | 15-5-1 |
| Puckline Record | 7-13 | 10-11 |
| Away/Home Record | 1-7-1 | 6-2-0 |
| Puckline Away/Home | 3-6 | 4-4 |
| Goals Per Game | 2.40 | 3.19 |
| Goals Against Per Game | 3.95 | 2.24 |
| Shots Per Game | 28.85 | 32.95 |
| Shots Against Per Game | 34.35 | 27.62 |
Senators vs. Hurricanes Prediction:
On a back-to-back, the Senators are expected to go with Anton Forsberg in the crease. They have no other option, but would certainly like to have a more reliable backup to go to in this situation.
Forsberg has been terrible with a 4.44 GAA and 0.883 save percentage through six games. In his last three starts, Forsberg has allowed 4 goals in each of them.
His last attempt was on November 26 versus the Anaheim Ducks at the Duck Pond in Anaheim. That didn’t go well, as Forsberg allowed 4 goals on 33 shots for a 0.879 save percentage.
As a team, the Senators haven’t been in good form defensively. This isn’t just a Forsberg problem. The Senators are 32nd in the NHL with 4 goals against per game.
They are conceding 34.4 shots per game for 30th in the league. It’s been ugly on the road for the Sens, as they’ve given up 35.22 shots and 4.22 goals per game.
Ottawa Senators vs. Carolina Hurricanes Betting Trends:
Senators
- 0-7 overall in their previous seven games on the road
- 2-7 overall in their previous nine games versus the Hurricanes
- 0-6 overall in their previous six games after allowing 5 goals
- 1-8 overall in their previous nine games after scoring 2 or less goals
- 10-42 overall in their previous 52 games on a back-to-back
Hurricanes
- 1-4 overall in their previous five games
- 6-2 overall in their previous eight games at the PNC Arena
- 4-1 overall in their previous five games versus the Atlantic Division
- 7-3 overall in their previous ten games versus the Eastern Conference
- 8-2 overall in their previous ten games after a loss by 3 or more goals
The Senators don’t have the offense to make up for their awful defense. They are 27th in the league with 2.4 goals scored per game. In their last ten outings, the Sens have scored 2.3 goals and conceded 4.4 goals per game. At least they’ve been consistently bad this season.
Carolina has one of the top defenses in the league, as they have given up 27.6 shots per game for first. The ‘Canes are also third with 2.2 goals against per game. Antti Raanta is scheduled to start tonight between the pipes.
Raanta has been solid with a 2.36 GAA and 0.903 save percentage in five games. He and Frederik Andersen provide a reliable 1-2 punch in net. They are backed by a top-ten offense.
The Hurricanes have put in 3.19 goals per game, with an average of 3.38 goals scored at home per game. Their offense should get going with the Senators in town tonight. Give me the Hurricanes in a spot where they can get their confidence back.
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