Leevi Merilainen has been spectacular for the Sens this season, and he'll play a big part in cashing Under 5.5.
NHL
A pair of teams on three-game winning streaks collide at Canadian Tire Centre on Saturday night when the Ottawa Senators take on the Minnesota Wild.
Both clubs have benefited from some solid defense and goaltending during their recent hot streaks, which is why I’m expecting another low-scoring affair in my Senators vs. Wild predictions and NHL picks for Saturday, February 1.
My Senators pick
Under 5.5 (-116 at Pinnacle)
My Senators analysis
The Ottawa Senators eked out a 5-4 overtime win against the Washington Capitals on Thursday to pick up their third straight win, though it was a bit of a departure from their stout defensive form of late.
The Sens had allowed just four combined goals against across their previous three games, and during their current 8-2-1 run, they’re giving up exactly two goals per contest — tied for the third-best mark in the NHL over that span.
Ottawa had not announced a starting goaltender, but there’s a good chance Leevi Merilainen could get the call given that Anton Forsberg played Thursday.
Merilainen has been a revelation for the Sens this season, boasting a 2.19 GAA and a .921 SV%. The Finnish netminder is 5-1-1 over his last seven starts, with two shutouts during that span while allowing two goals or fewer in all but one game.
Ottawa has been cashing Unders like crazy, with the Under going 12-2 in its last 14 games. The Minnesota Wild have also trended the same way, with the Under going 4-1-1 in their last six.
The Senators come into tonight’s contest with the best record in the NHL since their 8-2-1 run started on January 11, and that’s reflected in the odds. Ottawa opened at –137, but by Friday night, we saw that line climb to –144 at Pinnacle and as high as –163 at a couple of other books.
The total opened at 5.5 goals, and there was no movement at the time of writing. As mentioned, both clubs have trended towards the Under, thanks to solid defensive play and a lack of firepower up front.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Odds courtesy of Pinnacle
Ottawa is 5-1 in its last six home games. Find more NHL betting trends for Senators vs. Wild.
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After writing a few pieces for the Varsity newspaper during his time at the University of Toronto, Chris Faria’s career in sports truly began in 2019 when he attended the sports journalism program at Centennial College. Since then, he’s covered virtually every sport under the sun, having written for several different outlets including Covers and the Canadian Olympic Committee. A lifelong hockey fan and player, Chris currently works full-time for the National Hockey League.
Outside of hockey, he’s also an avid poker player and mixed martial arts fan, which is coincidentally his favorite sport to bet on – usually in the form of a parlay on bet365. The main lesson he’s learned from years of betting is bankroll management: “Never bet more than you’re comfortable losing and never chase your losses.”
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