NHL weekend betting preview: Value with the Senators
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We've thus far enjoyed a great week on the ice with a 6-2 record, including a pair of generously priced underdogs coming through.
It started with a 0-1 night on Monday, but hopefully, you stuck to the script.
There's always more money to be won. Here's a look at the weekend action:
Game betting
Ottawa Senators at Detroit Red Wings (Friday)
Generally, you should save your money rather than wager it on a matchup between two of the league's worst teams. But there's value in backing the Senators in Detroit at close to even money. Ottawa is bad, but the Red Wings are a lot worse. Detroit has won just 11 games this season, and three came in the first week of the campaign. The Senators have had a tough road schedule but are 3-0 away from home against the bottom four teams in the East. They've already defeated the Red Wings twice this season and offer way too much value at such a short price.
Vancouver Canucks at Buffalo Sabres (Saturday)
The Sabres are 6-2 since the beginning of 2019 in home games with a start time of 5 p.m. or earlier, including a 3-0 record in 1 p.m. contests like Saturday's. Buffalo has also won seven of its last nine on home ice, losing only to the Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning. The Canucks have been dominant at Rogers Arena but aren't the same team on the road, losing four in a row, and nine of their last 12, away to Eastern Conference teams. The Sabres continue to be undervalued and, with a lookahead line of -115, are definitely worth backing in Saturday's matinee.
Montreal Canadiens at Ottawa Senators (Saturday)
It won't be long before #TankForLafreniere starts trending in Montreal, if it isn't already. The Canadiens got off to a strong start this season but injuries and sloppy defensive play have derailed their campaign. They've lost eight in a row by just one goal (excluding empty-netters), so they're playing competitive hockey and starting to get healthy. This will be the second game in as many nights for the Senators, who have lost 10 of their last 11 on home ice in the latter leg of a back-to-back. Take the Habs as likely short favorites.
Boston Bruins at New York Islanders (Saturday)
The Islanders haven't won at home against the Bruins since November 2013. Boston has won eight in a row, and 11 of its last 12, on the Island. New York has lost four of its last five on home ice after opening the season 13-2-1, while the Bruins seem to have rediscovered their scoring touch. Back Boston to make it nine straight road wins over the Isles.
Tampa Bay Lightning at Philadelphia Flyers (Saturday)
It's hard to go against the Lightning right now. Winners of nine in a row, their first-half struggles are clearly a thing of the past. However, the Flyers have been absolutely dominant at home this season, posting a league-best 14-2-4 record. Getting them at +120 (lookahead line) is too much value to pass up.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Florida Panthers (Sunday)
The Maple Leafs have scored four or more goals in each of their last five road games, and seven of their last eight, while the Panthers have scored at least five goals in five of their last six at BB&T Center. Defense will be an afterthought Sunday night in the Sunshine State.
Game props
Arizona Coyotes at Carolina Hurricanes (Friday)
This marks the second game of a back-to-back for the Coyotes, who flew north to Carolina following last night's loss in Tampa. The first-period under has hit in nine of Arizona's last 10 road games played on no days' rest and represents great value here at plus money. The Hurricanes are one of the league's higher-scoring teams in the opening frame but the first-period under has cashed in three of their last six on home ice following a run of six consecutive overs.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Florida Panthers (Sunday)
As mentioned above, the Maple Leafs score in bunches on the road, just as the Panthers do at home. We're doubling, tripling, and quadrupling down on the over, with the Maple Leafs' and Panthers' team totals over 3.5, as well as over 1.5 goals in the first period.
Alex Moretto is a sports betting writer for theScore. A journalism graduate from Guelph-Humber University, he has worked in sports media for over a decade. He will bet on anything from the Super Bowl to amateur soccer, is too impatient for futures, and will never trust a kicker. Find him on Twitter @alexjmoretto.