The Ottawa Senators (4-5-0) and their dominant offense play host to the Vegas Golden Knights (9-2-0) and their suffocating defense at Canadian Tire Centre on Thursday. Vegas is coming off a 3-2 overtime win over the Capitals on Tuesday, their fifth win in a row. The Golden Knights took advantage of their power play opportunities, scoring once on two shots, while also conceding a power play goal.
Jack Eichel, William Carrier, and Shea Theodore scored one apiece for the Golden Knights. Alex Pietrangelo had three assists to lead the team in scoring. Logan Thompson allowed two goals on 21 shots against (.904%) in the win. Ottawa is back home for a four-game homestand after a 4-3 loss against the Lightning on Tuesday, their third consecutive defeat. Mathieu Joseph, Dylan Gambrell, and Claude Giroux scored one apiece for the Senators. Anton Forsberg saved only 30 of 34 shots against (.882%) in the loss.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Golden Knights won both games between the teams last season, including a 2-1 victory in their final meeting in March, their sixth straight win against Ottawa. Jonathan Marchessault led Vegas with two points (1G 1A). Brady Tkachuk scored Ottawa’s only goal. Robin Lehner got the win, saving 39 of 40 shots (.975%).
FACING OFF
Vegas is averaging 3.18 goals per game for the season, 15th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Senators team that is allowing 3.44 goals a game (21st). Meanwhile, Ottawa has found the net 3.67 times a game on average, fifth in the league, and will be looking to overpower the Golden Knights’ stout defense, which is holding opponents to a league-best 1.73 goals per game.
Don’t be surprised to see several power play opportunities for the Golden Knights, as the Senators have been penalized 6.11 times a game, most in the NHL, for an average of 14.56 minutes (first-highest). The visitors are averaging 2.45 penalties and 5.18 penalty minutes a game, both of which are the lowest in the league.
The Senators’ 23.33% power play percentage ranks 13th in the league, while the Golden Knights are 23rd with a conversion rate of 17.65%. In terms of defending power plays, Ottawa has the league’s 20th-ranked PK% at 78.38%, while Vegas is 22nd at 76.00%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 12 points this season, Eichel is the top skater for the Golden Knights. He has five goals and seven assists in 11 games. In the net, Thompson (4-2-0) is Vegas’ top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 1.69 GAA, fourth-best in the league, and a .943% save percentage, fifth-best.
Tkachuk and Drake Batherson lead the Senators in scoring with 12 and 11 points, respectively. Tkachuk has six goals (8th) and six assists, while Batherson has three goals and eight assists in nine games. Forsberg (3-4-0) is the top goalie for Ottawa with a goals against average of 3.04. He has a save percentage of .913%.
HOME AND AWAY
Vegas is 4-1-0 away from home this season. Ottawa is 4-1-0 at Canadian Tire Centre this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Vegas Golden Knights (-140)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
