Overview
The Boston Bruins are in Ottawa tonight where they take on the Senators in what is the biggest game of the year for both these teams. Even though the Bruins have lost 2 of the last 3 meetings they have still played the Senators well over the past 5 or 10 years winning 39 of the last 58 meetings overall and 17 of the last 22 meetings played in Ottawa.
Head to Head Trends
Bruins are 39-19 in the last 58 meetings.
Bruins are 17-5 in the last 22 meetings in Ottawa.
Ottawa Senators (-110)
The Ottawa Senators are 5th in the Atlantic Division with 79 points 4 points behind the Boston Bruins for the final playoff spot in the East plus they have an extra game in hand so if the Sens can win tonight and win their game in hand they would be tied with the Bruins for the final playoff spot. The Senators have been probably the hottest team in the league over the past month winning 12 of their last 14 games although I think that all might come to a crashing halt sooner than later.
A big reason for this great run the Senators have been on is because rookie goaltender Andrew Hammond. Since joining the team about a month ago Hammond is 11-0-1 with a 1.35 GAA and a .956 save percentage. Those numbers would be crazy good for even the best goalie in the league so what are the chances a rookie can keep this up for an extended length of time, I don’t think it will be for much longer.
Ottawa Senators Trends
Senators are 13-3 in their last 16 overall.
Senators are 6-1 in their last 7 vs. a team with a winning record.
Boston Bruins (-110)
The Boston Bruins are 4th in the Atlantic Division with 83 points and if they don’t pick things up they are in real danger of missing the playoffs. This has been a really frustrating season as a Bruins fan as they have a pretty good team but it’s just nothing has gone right for them this season.
For example is there last game in which they lost 2-1 in a shootout versus the Sabres as a -485 favorite. In that game the Bruins heavily outplayed the Sabres out-shooting them 45-24. The Same thing happened a couple weeks ago when they played the Oilers and ended up losing in a shootout after missing 12 straight shootout attempts. I don’t even know how that’s possible to miss 12 shootout attempts in a row but that type of stuff has been happening to the Bruins all season long.
Boston Bruins Trends
Bruins are 5-2 in their last 7 overall.
Bruins are 51-22 in their last 73 vs. a team with a losing record.
Conclusion
Even though not a whole lot has gone right for the Bruins this season I’m still going with them over the Sens in this one. Maybe I’m just biased because I’m a Bruins fan but I really think the Bruins are the better team overall and I also think that this hot stretch by the Senators and especially rookie goaltender Andrew Hammond is unsustainable.
Free Pick: Boston Bruins -110
