The Ottawa Senators (26-24-3) play host to the Chicago Blackhawks (16-32-5), who will be out to end their losing run, at Canadian Tire Centre on Friday. Chicago is playing their last of four games on the road coming off a 5-2 loss against the Maple Leafs on Wednesday, their third consecutive defeat. Sam Lafferty and Philipp Kurashev each scored once for the Blackhawks.
Petr Mrazek only had 37 saves on 42 shots against (.880%) in the loss. Ottawa beat the Islanders 3-2 (SO) on Tuesday. Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stuetzle both scored once for the Senators.
Stuetzle and Tkachuk both added an assist to lead the team in scoring. Kevin Mandolese was impressive in the win, making 46 saves (.958%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The Blackhawks won both games between the teams last season, including a 6-3 victory in their final meeting in March, their eighth straight win against Ottawa.
Patrick Kane led Chicago with three points (0G 3A). Thomas Chabot, Connor Brown, and Nicholas Paul were on the scoresheet for Ottawa. Marc-Andre Fleury got the win despite allowing three goals on 23 shots (.869%).
FACING OFF
Chicago is averaging 2.40 goals per game for the season, worst in the NHL, and they are taking on a Senators team that is allowing 3.21 goals a game (19th).
Meanwhile, Ottawa has found the net 3.00 times a game on average, 22nd in the league, and the Blackhawks are allowing opponents to score 3.64 goals per game (28th).
Chicago averages fewer shots per game (26.6) than any other team in the league, while the team’s 9.0% shooting percentage is 28th. Ottawa’s average of 33.3 attempts ranks sixth.
Don’t be surprised to see several power play opportunities for the Blackhawks, as the Senators have been penalized 4.55 times a game, fourth-most in the NHL, for an average of 11.19 minutes (sixth-highest).
The visitors are averaging 3.68 penalties (19th) and 9.45 penalty minutes a game (12th). The Senators’ 26.63% power play percentage is the second-best in the league, while the Blackhawks rank 26th with a conversion rate of 17.53%. When it comes to defending power plays, Ottawa has the league’s 11th-ranked PK% at 81.05%, while Chicago is 23rd at 76.10%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
Max Domi and Kane have been the top skaters for the Blackhawks this season with 36 and 35 points. In the net, Arvid Soderblom (2-10-2) is Chicago’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 3.45 GAA and a .894% save percentage.
Mrazek (5-14-2) leads the Blackhawks in games played in goal. He has a GAA of 3.95 and a save percentage of .885%. Tkachuk and Stuetzle lead the Senators in scoring with 56 and 55 points, respectively.
Tkachuk has 22 goals and 34 assists, while Stuetzle has 24 goals and 31 assists in 49 games. Cam Talbot (12-13-1) has the best goals against average for Ottawa at 2.90. He has a save percentage of .905%.
HOME AND AWAY
Chicago has lost four in a row away from home this season. Ottawa is 15-12-1 at Canadian Tire Centre this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Ottawa Senators -1.5 (-105)
Want up to a $1K risk free bet for this pick?
Claim with 
today!
If you need more news, information and predictions, head over to our NHL hub page for all your NHL needs!
*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
