Hurricanes vs. Senators Odds, Picks, Predictions: Can Ottawa Hang with Carolina? (Dec. 2)

Hurricanes vs. Senators Odds

Two teams, two very different stories. The Carolina Hurricanes host the Ottawa Senators at PNC Arena.

Carolina, while an Eastern Conference powerhouse is coming off a two game losing streak. Ottawa has been feeling the burn from a COVID pause to the tune of its current six-game losing slide. Both teams look to get off the snide in this matchup.

Carolina is starting to feel the heat just a little bit. Since dominating the NHL in the first month and a half, the Canes have suddenly lost four of their last five. It’s hardly a cause for concern, given their talent, but it’s certainly interesting to note.

The Senators were hoping this season would be different. In an effort to make a playoff push, they were halted with having to pause their season due to a COVID outbreak, and have now suffered from six straight losses. They are playing for the second night in a row after losing to Vancouver on Wednesday night.

What to Make of Carolina's Recent Slide

Year after year, the Canes seem to always get better. With a coach that everyone loves to play for and plenty of talent, it’s hard to see why anyone wouldn’t argue against this team being a contender.

Young studs Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov are leading the team in scoring, while defenseman Tony DeAngelo is looking to prove why he deserves to be in the league. 

With all the talent that Carolina has, it’s no surprise to find out that they’re a top three team in driving play. The Canes currently post a 3.11 expected goals per 60 minutes, and drive an impressive 12.98 high-danger scoring chances. While creating all those chances, they are also a power play threat, scoring at a 19.4% clip. 

Freddie Andersen is having a resurgence of a season. He seemed to have worn out his welcome in Toronto, and when he signed with Carolina, many viewed it as a risk. However, it seems he’s thriving in quiet North Carolina, posting a .928 SV% and an 11.0 Goals Saved Above Expected (GSAx). While goaltending for years was the Canes’ kryptonite, they may have just got a diamond in Andersen.

The Sens Are Reeling

You can’t ignore the exciting young talent the Senators have waiting to break out. It’s just a matter of it all coming together, signing a quality free agent or two, and finding some stable goaltending — then they will be in good shape.

Injuries have riddled them, as key young guys like Shane Pinto and Colin White are out for a few months. However, the talent is evident with players like Drake Batherson, captain Brady Tkachuk, and Josh Norris. The Sens will get there — but fans in the Canadian capital are wondering when that will be.

Generating offense hasn’t been their forte this season. Head coach DJ Smith has had to push through a tough season so far, and he’s done as good as he can when things just aren’t working in his favor.

The Sens currently place in the bottom 10 in expected goals per 60 minutes with a 2.12 xGF, and generate the fourth-fewest high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes.

Ottawa's special teams aren't bailing it out, either as the Sens score on the power play at a 17.5% rate, so it’s safe to say that the Senators have been underwhelming at all aspects of the game.

What a whirlwind it has been in net. After trading for and signing Matt Murray to an expensive contract, he has suddenly been placed on waivers. The former two-time Stanley Cup winning goalie has had a fall from grace since dominating the league. Suddenly it’s become Filip Gustavsson and Anton Forsberg’s net. Since Gustavsson took the net last night, expect Forsberg to take the crease. Forsberg’s stats are underwhelming with an .883 SV% and a -3.8 GSAx.

Senators vs. Hurricanes Pick

It just seems like everything is against Ottawa in this matchup. Carolina has the upper hand in all facets, since Ottawa already played last night and especially if Forsberg takes the net.

Carolina should dominate, and I can’t see any reason not to take them. And should the Canes win, I think it is pretty likely to come in a blowout as this team has the offensive firepower and goaltending needed to get margin against a terrible team like Ottawa.

Pick:Carolina Hurricanes -1.5 (+100)