I've now lost my last 2 posted NHL plays on Pregame, so hopefully I can turn my 1-2 record around tonight. Here are my notes and pick for one of the games. Feel free to share your thoughts and BOL everyone!!
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St. Louis Blues @ Ottawa Senators
My Pick: St. Louis Blues/Ottawa Senators Under 6 (-110) - L
Ottawa is 0-4 Over/Under their previous 4 matchups against St. Louis
Ottawa is 2-10-1 Over/Under their previous 13 home matchups versus the Blues
The last 13 times these two teams have played each in Ottawa, they've only surpassed 6 total goals once. In that span of games Ottawa has only surpassed the 3 goal mark once and St. Louis has only surpassed that number four times.
Jordan Binnington should be starting between the pipes and he's been solid this season, allowing 3 GA or less in all three of his starts, with exacty 2 GA in each of his last two. Last season he held Ottawa to just 2 GA in his only matchup against them (which was at home). Ottawa hasn't looked great this year and they've failed to top 3 goals in either of their first two games. The team ranks bottom-4 in the league right now at GF/G (2.00) and 23rd in the league at SF/G. Power play opportunities should also be a bit limited for Ottawa as the Blues rank near the bottom of the league in penalty minutes. That's a plus for Binnington even though the Senators are also tied for lowest power play goals in the league so far this season - they have 0 PP goals on 4 chances..
On the other side it should be Craig Anderson getting the nod for Ottawa. He's had his struggles this season, allowing at least 5 GA in each of his two starts. Keep in mind, those games came against Toronto and the New York Rangers whom both currently rank top-6 in the league at GF/G and are average or better in SF/G. Last season Anderson held the Blues to just 3 GA in his only matchup against them (which was on the road). St. Louis has looked good this season with a 2-1 record, but hasn't surpassed the 3 goal mark in a single game thus far. They currently rank bottom-10 in the league at GF/G (2.67) and 27th in the league at SF/G. Power play opportunities could likely be limited for this team as well considering the Senators rank in the exact same spot as St. Louis when it comes to penalty minutes. No doubt the Blues should come away with a win in this one, but Anderson shouldn't be under nearly as much pressure compared to his two previous matchups. St. Louis also finds themselves having a hard time scoring power play goals this season - they're averaging just 0.33 PP goals on 2.33 chances. Just barely above Ottawa..
Ottawa is now 0-1 Over/Under at home this season while the Blues find themselves 0-1 Over/Under on the road. With 2+ days of rest the Senators are 1-5 Over/Under which already includes one game this season. The Blues are 2-2 Over/Under their last 4 with only one of them surpassing six total goals. Although it's not very likely they win, this game should present Anderson with a chance to lower his GAA a little.