"Senators vs Blackhawks Prediction: Ottawa Favored to Win on Feb. 17th"

Odds

2022-2023 season stats

Preview

The Ottawa Senators return home to host the Chicago Blackhawks at the KeyBank Center on Friday night. The last time these teams haven't faced each other since last season in Ottawa where the Blackhawks took the win 6-3.  Jonathan Toews and Caleb Jones each scored twice. Sam Lafferty and Dylan Strome also scored for the Blackhawks, Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 20 shots and Patrick Kane had three assists. Kane moved into sole possession of second place on Chicago's points list with 1,156.

Ottawa Senators

The Ottawa Senators have been on a roll lately, winning six of their last seven games and showing impressive form at home with a 15-12-1 record so far this season. With a 26-24-3 record overall, they currently sit in 7th place in the Atlantic division, but their recent form suggests they could be climbing the standings soon.

One of the keys to the Senators' recent success has been their ability to score goals. They have a fantastic record of 23-6-2 in games where they've scored at least three goals, and their offensive firepower has been led by none other than Brady Tkachuk. The talented forward has been a standout for the Senators this season, racking up an impressive 22 goals and 34 assists to become one of the most dangerous players in the NHL.

But Tkachuk is not the only young star on this Senators team. Rookie Tim Stutzle has been making waves in the league with his impressive performances, scoring five goals and adding 10 assists over the last 10 games. If he can maintain this level of play, Stutzle could be one to watch for years to come.

Looking at the Senators' recent form, they have won seven of their last ten games, with an average of 3.4 goals and 5.6 assists per game. However, they have also been taking a lot of penalties, averaging 5.7 penalties and 16.1 penalty minutes per game. While their defense has been somewhat leaky, allowing 3.1 goals per game over this stretch, their offense has been more than enough to get the job done.

Overall, the Senators seem to be hitting their stride at just the right time, and if they can continue their strong form, they could be a team to watch as the season progresses. With talented young players like Tkachuk and Stutzle leading the way, there is plenty of reason for optimism in Ottawa.

INJURIES: Josh Norris: out for season (shoulder), Cam Talbot: out (lower body), Anton Forsberg: out (knees), Jake Sanderson: out (upper-body), Nick Holden: out (undisclosed).

Chicago Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks have been in a slump lately, losing their last three games and struggling to find form on the road. With a poor 6-16-2 record away from home, they currently rank 8th in the Central division with an overall record of 16-32-5. It's been a season to forget for the Blackhawks, with their offense struggling immensely and averaging only 2.40 goals per game. In fact, they've managed to score just three goals in their last three games, which is a huge cause for concern.

Despite their offensive struggles, there have been some standout performers on this Blackhawks team. Patrick Kane, in particular, has been a bright spot with nine goals and 26 assists on the season. The star forward is still playing at an elite level, but he hasn't been able to lift his team out of their slump on his own.

One player who has been struggling to find his form recently is Max Domi. The forward has managed just one goal and five assists over the last 10 games, which is a disappointing return for a player who was expected to be a key contributor for the Blackhawks this season.

Looking at the Blackhawks' recent form, they've won just three of their last ten games and have been averaging 2.5 goals and 4.3 assists per game. However, they've also been taking a lot of penalties, averaging 3.5 penalties and 10.5 penalty minutes per game. On the defensive side, they've been giving up an average of 3.5 goals per game over this stretch, which is a worrying sign for a team that is already struggling to score.

INJURIES: To make matters worse, the Blackhawks have been dealing with a number of injuries. Jujhar Khaira is out with a back injury, MacKenzie Entwistle is day to day with an undisclosed issue, Jonathan Toews is still out due to an illness, Alex Stalock is out with a concussion, and Jarred Tinordi is out with a knee injury. With so many key players out of action, it's going to be a tough road ahead for the Blackhawks.

BETTING TRENDS

Chicago are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games.

Chicago are 8-0 SU in their last 8 games against Ottawa.

Chicago are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games on the road.

Chicago are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Ottawa.

The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chicago's last 7 games against an opponent in the Eastern Conference conference.

The total has gone OVER in 4 of Ottawa's last 6 games.

Ottawa are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games.

Ottawa are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games at home.

The total has gone OVER in 4 of Ottawa's last 6 games against an opponent in the Western Conference conference.

Prediction

The Senators are currently in excellent form, having won six of their last seven games, including four of their last six games at home. Their recent success can be attributed to their strong offensive performance, as they have scored an average of 3.7 goals per game during this period.

While the Senators have struggled against the Blackhawks in the past, losing their last eight head-to-head games, it's worth noting that the Blackhawks are not enjoying a good season this year. In their last ten games, they have lost seven, and their record on the road is abysmal, with a win rate of just 25%.

Given these statistics, it's clear that the Senators have a strong chance of winning this matchup, particularly considering their recent form and their home advantage. In contrast, the Blackhawks' poor performance on the road and their recent struggles make it difficult to see them coming away with a win.

To win this game, the Senators will need to maintain their offensive momentum and continue to capitalize on their opportunities to score. On the other hand, the Blackhawks will have to improve their defense and try to shut down the Senators' offense, a task that will be difficult given the Senators' recent success. The Senators will continue their winning streak and come out on top in this matchup.

PICK: Senators ML (-185) 

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