It’s going to be an interesting Saturday night in the NHL, as the Arizona Coyotes (3-3-1) and the Ottawa Senators (3-2-2) square off at Canadian Tire Centre. The Coyotes enter this game having lost their last four games. The Senators, meanwhile, have dropped their last three. Who’ll get back into the winning column first?
Read on below for a detailed breakdown of this Eastern Conference bout. And for more exciting hockey action, you can also read our preview of the Canadiens and Sabres game. Enjoy.
[sc:NHLArticles ]Arizona Coyotes vs. Ottawa Senators Betting Preview
Where: Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa
When: Saturday, October 24, 2015 7:00 PM ET
Line: Arizona Coyotes vs. Ottawa Senators – view all NHL lines
Betting on the Arizona Coyotes
After a surprising 3-0 start to the season, the Arizona Coyotes are back to their losing ways. They suffered their fourth-straight setback on Thursday night at the hands of the New York Rangers, who used a big third period to capture the 4-1 victory and improve to a 5-2 record.
[sc:NHL240 ]This on-going struggle has got Mike Smith’s name written all over it. The 33-year-old goaltender has been taking a beating between the pipes, surrendering 14 goals in the past four games. That stretch includes a 5-3 loss to Boston Saturday night, during which he allowed a season-high five goals on 43 shots. On the year, he is 3-1 with a 2.39 GAA and .932 save percentage.
With Smith getting the start in every game for the Coyotes thus far, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Anders Lindback, who stopped six of seven shot attempts in a 4-3 loss to the Wild on October 15, to get the start in their next game against the Ottawa Senators.
As for the offense, expect the Coyotes to continue relying on the pair of Max Domi and Anthony Duclair. The two have already combined for 14 points (eight goals and six assists) through their first six games this season. Meanwhile, Martin Hanzal could prove to be the difference-maker in this game. Hanzal currently leads the team with eight points—all coming from assists—despite still searching for his first goal.
Arizona is 3-7 SU and 8-2 OU in its previous 10 meetings with Ottawa.
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Betting on the Ottawa Senators
Like the Coyotes, the Ottawa Senators had a solid start to the season by winning their first two games versus Buffalo and Toronto. But those wins must feel like just a dream as they’ve lost four of their past five contests and are on a three-game slide. They are now 3-2-2 on the season and hold the third spot in their division.
The Senators’ most recent loss to the Devils was really hard to digest. They squandered a 4-2 advantage late in the third period which eventually allowed their Eastern Conference rivals to steal the game away via Lee Stempniak’s shootout winner. Furthermore, Ottawa has also failed to capitalize on its power play opportunities, going 1-for-10 in their previous three games.
On the bright side though, Chris Neil, who entered his 900th career game, had a fitting performance to commemorate such a special night for him. He finished with a goal, an assist and a fight to complete the Gordie Howard hat trick. Then, Andrew Hammond made sure to impress in his first start of the season by negating 28 shots on goal.
Center Kyle Turris, who was held scoreless against the Devils, is bound to have a bounce back performance. He already has a team-best eight points (four goals and four assists) and had a huge share of success at home games last season, registering 13 goals and 17 assists to his name.
Both Neil and Turris will definitely try to sustain their momentum when they take on the visiting Arizona Coyotes—a team that has already allowed 18 goals thus far this year.
Ottawa is 4-6 SU and 5-5 OU in its last 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
The Senators win, 3-2.
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[sc:NHL490 ]
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