Ottawa Senators (13-18-0) vs. Vancouver Canucks (23-10-3)
Ottawa Senators vs. Vancouver Canucks 1/2/24 – On Tuesday, the Ottawa Senators and Vancouver Canucks are set for an exciting NHL showdown at Rogers Arena. Both teams have seen notable fluctuations between their standings – with Ottawa struggling while Vancouver excelling – making this matchup one of the more intriguing affairs on their respective regular season calendars. Fans and bettors alike should stay tuned as this encounter could produce some best NHL picks and tips from this meeting of two underdog teams in an underdog-versus-favorite battle!
Tim Stutzle, Drake Batherson and Claude Giroux have led the Senators’ offense with flair despite their overall record. Stutzle earned 33 points this season while Batherson posted 16.7% shooting percentage. But their true test will come when facing Vancouver’s formidable defensive lineup; Vancouver boasts strong goaltending support which makes their strategies hard to crack; in order for the Senators to beat Vancouver they will need to leverage playmaking and shooting skills as a means of outwitting them.
Vancouver’s offense appears formidable. J.T. Miller, Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson have been instrumental in leading their team’s success; together, they’ve notched an impressive point total with Miller posting an 18.8% shooting percentage and Hughes serving as playmaking defenseman to add depth. Ottawa will need all its abilities at its disposal if it wants to contain Vancouver’s multidimensional attack; defense tactics against Vancouver’s power play will play a big role here.
Ottawa Senators vs. Vancouver Canucks 1/2/24 Game Info
| When: | Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at 10:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Rogers Arena |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
| Stream: | NHL.TV |
Goaltender Joonas Korpisalo vs. Goaltender Thatcher Demko
Joonas Korpisalo has endured his share of struggles this season, as his .89 save percentage indicates. He has allowed three or more goals in eight of his last ten starts while Ottawa continues to give up tons of shots. Now he goes against a deep Canucks lineup that averages over three goals per contest. Miller, Hughes and Pettersson could have a field day if the Senators defense has another porous showing. Korpisalo must play out of his mind to give his team a chance.
On the flip side, Thatcher Demko sports a sparkling .917 save percentage and has given Vancouver quality goaltending all year. The Senators do not light the lamp often, ranking 27th in goals per game. Outside of Stutzle and Batherson, Ottawa lacks consistent scoring punch and Demko should gobble up most of their limited attempts. The Canucks back end can be leaky at times, but Demko’s stellar play should cover up any lapses against a middling Senators attack.
NHL Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
The betting odds are yet to be determined, but based on current form and standings, the Canucks are likely to be favored. Bettors should keep an eye on the puckline and moneyline odds as they emerge, which will offer deeper insights into the expected game dynamics.
Ottawa Senators Betting Trends
The Senators are 1-3 straight up and 2-2 against the spread (ATS) over their last four contests. Ottawa has cashed just 40% of tickets in its 18 road games this season. The totals have gone over in two of the Senators last four outings. Ottawa allows the second most goals per game at 3.74 while scoring the fourth fewest at 2.63 per contest.
Vancouver Canucks Betting Trends
Vancouver has won four straight games both straight up and ATS. The over has hit in just one of the Canucks previous five matchups. For the year, Vancouver is an impressive 12-6 ATS on home ice while scoring the eight most goals per game (3.42) and allowing the 12th fewest (2.89).
Ottawa Senators vs. Vancouver Canucks 1/2/24 Betting Picks
In conclusion, while the Senators have the potential for an upset, the Canucks’ overall form and home advantage make them the safer pick. The game promises to be a test of Ottawa’s resilience against Vancouver’s offensive might.
For those looking for a more nuanced bet, considering the over/under based on both teams’ recent scoring trends could be a strategic move. The best multi-handicapper picks would likely lean towards the Canucks, considering their superior record and home advantage.
Free Pick and Prediction: Vancouver Canucks 4, Ottawa Senators 2