NHL Betting Picks, Odds, And Preview: Pittsburgh Penguins vs Ottawa Senators

The Pittsburgh Penguins hope to wake up from their worst losing nightmare in eight years when they clash against the Ottawa Senators at home on Tuesday. The Penguins have been walloped by a 24-8 disparity during their six-game slide that is further marred by a pair of shutout losses. The Senators, on the flipside, posted back-to-back wins for the first time in nearly three months after defeating Vancouver and Detroit, respectively, inside their home ice.

Ottawa Senators

The Senators may have won their last two assignments but their position remains stuck near the basal part of the Eastern Conference. Moreover, they are woeful on the road with a 6-18-6 card made worse by the mentioned five consecutive losses in an unfamiliar land. Adjustments will be made with their goalie rotation after Marcus Hogberg asks to go on leave due to personal reasons. Craig Anderson is expected to fill the gap and help the Senators snap their slide on the road.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Captain Sidney Crosby took the blame for the Penguins’ current skid as he was quoted saying, “I put it on myself." The Pittsburgh star himself was having a rough stretch that surely factored in the team’s odd struggles especially in the crucial stages of the season. “I have to step up in key situations. When you're down like this and losing games, you need big plays and big performances. I haven't done that. That's on me,” he added. Facing the Senators, whom they have beaten eight consecutive times, will be the perfect time for the Penguins to reestablish their confidence given the advantage they have at home.

Odds and Trends

Tuesday’s tilt will be a different story when the Senators hit the road back riding five straight losses away from Ottawa which prompted the bookmakers to place them as vast underdogs at +235 to win. The Penguins are -290 favorites at home.

The Senators are 37-76 in their last 113 overall and 17-35 in their last 52 Tuesday games.

The Penguins are 6-2 in their last 8 games following a loss of 3 or more goals and 9-3 in their last 12 vs. a team with a winning % below .400.

Over is 5-0 in Senators last 5 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game and Over is 5-0 in Senators last 5 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game.

Under is 4-1 in Senators last 5 games playing on 2 days rest and 4-0-1 in Penguins last 5 vs. a team with a winning % below .400.

Prediction

Penguins win, 4-2