Two of the NHL’s most penalized teams are set to meet at Honda Center on Friday, as the Anaheim Ducks (6-13-1) play host to the Ottawa Senators (6-12-1). Ottawa is coming off a 4-1 loss against the Golden Knights on Wednesday, their third consecutive defeat.
The Senators committed four penalties in the game, conceding one power play goal. Jake Sanderson was the only player to find the net for the Senators. Cam Talbot had 32 saves in the loss.
Anaheim beat the Rangers 3-2 on Wednesday. Dmitry Kulikov, Mason McTavish, and Troy Terry scored one apiece for the Ducks. Kulikov added an assist to lead the team in scoring. John Gibson saved 41 of 43 shots in the win (.953%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The Ducks won both games between the teams last season, including a 2-1 victory in their final meeting in January, their fourth straight win against Ottawa. Rickard Rakell and Terry were on the scoresheet for Anaheim. Tyler Ennis scored Ottawa’s only goal. Gibson got the win, saving 44 of 45 shots (.977%).
FACING OFF
Ottawa is averaging 3.05 goals per game for the season, 16th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Ducks team that is allowing 4.15 goals a game (31st).
Meanwhile, Anaheim has found the net 2.55 times a game on average, 29th in the league, and will be looking to capitalize on the Senators’ weak defense, which is allowing opponents to score 3.58 goals per game (28th).
Power play opportunities in the game ought to be plentiful, as the Senators and Ducks have more penalties per game than most teams in the NHL. The Ducks have been penalized 5.10 times a game on average (29th), while the Senators are averaging 5.21 penalties, second-most in the league.
The Ducks’ 12.50% power play percentage is the worst in the league, while the Senators rank 12th with a conversion rate of 22.39%. Anaheim has been equally unimpressive at penalty killing, as the hosts possess the league’s second-lowest PK% at 66.20%. Ottawa’s 78.67% ranks 18th in the NHL.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 22 points this season, Brady Tkachuk is the top skater for the Senators. He has seven goals and 15 assists in 19 games. In the net, Talbot (1-4-0) is Ottawa’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 2.80 GAA and a .909% save percentage. Anton Forsberg (4-7-1) leads the Senators in games played in goal.
He has a GAA of 3.43 and a save percentage of .904%.Terry leads the Ducks in scoring with 21 points. He has eight goals and 13 assists in 20 games. Anthony Stolarz (2-2-0) has the best goals against average for Anaheim at 3.69. He has a save percentage of .894%. Gibson (3-11-1) has played the most games in net for the Ducks this season. He has a 4.15 GAA and a .891% save percentage.
HOME AND AWAY
Ottawa is 1-6-1 away from Canadian Tire Centre this season. Anaheim is 4-4-0 at home this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Ottawa Senators (-145)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
