A five-game slate in the NHL scheduled for Friday, February 17, will open with this inter-conference tilt in Ottawa, and here you can check out the best Blackhawks vs. Senators betting pick and odds.

Chicago is hoping to avoid the fourth straight defeat when they visit Ottawa at Canadian Tire Centre. The Senators are -238 moneyline favorites on BetOnline Sportsbook, while the total is set at 6.5 goals. These inter-conference rivals will meet for the first time this season.

Blackhawks lost to the Maple Leafs in Toronto

The Chicago Blackhawks (16-32-3-2, 23-30 ATS) are currently on a four-game road trip, which they will conclude with this tilt against the Ottawa Senators on Friday. The Blackhawks lost all three games on the trip and now lost seven of the previous nine games. Chicago scored just three goals in those three consecutive defeats, two of which came against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the latest 5-2 loss. The Blackhawks are still at the bottom of the Western Conference with 37 points, only a point above the worst team in the NHL – Columbus Blue Jackets.

Sam Lafferty and Philipp Kurashev scored for the Hawks, but Toronto netted all five of its goals in the opening two periods and deservedly secured a win. Chicago attempted 29 shots opposite the Maple Leafs’ 42. The Blackhawks don’t have a player in the top 100 in the NHL when it comes to points. Max Domi is the team’s first star with 36 points (G 14, A 22), followed by Patrick Kane with 35 (G 9, A 26) and Jonathan Toews with 28 (G 14 and A 14).

Petr Mrazek (5-15-2) is likely getting the start in the cage against the Senators on Friday. The 31-year-old is surrendering 4.00 goals per game this year with a .884 SV% and no shutouts.

C Jonathan Toews (illness), G Alex Stalock (head), LW Tyler Johnson (ankle), D Jarred Tinordi (lower body), and LW Jujhar Khaira (back) are out indefinitely. RW MacKenzie Entwistle (wrist) is questionable to play on Friday against Ottawa.

Senators recorded another tight victory

The Ottawa Senators (26-24-3-0, 30-23 ATS) registered six wins in the last seven games, including the last two which were tight. The Senators first edged the Calgary Flames in overtime at home and then beat the New York Islanders in the shootout on the road. Following such a fine form, the Sens climbed up to 13th position in the Eastern Conference with 55 points, 18 more than the Blackhawks.

Tim Stutzle and Brady Tkachuk scored for the Senators in regulation, and after the overtime didn’t produce a goal, the game went to the penalty shootout. Stutzle and Drake Batherson scored in the shootout to secure two points for the Senators, who managed to win despite having 34 shots opposite New York’s 48. So far this season, Brady Tkachuk is Ottawa’s top producer on offense with 56 points (G 22, A 34). Tim Stutzle is right behind with 55 (G 24, A 31) and Claude Giroux has 49 points (G 21, A 28).

Mads Sogaard (1-0-0) is expected to start at the goal for Ottawa against the Blackhawks on Friday. The 22-year-old is allowing 2.71 goals per contest this season along with a .925 SV% and no shutouts.

D Nick Holden (upper body), G Cam Talbot (lower body), G Anton Forsberg (knee), C Josh Norris (shoulder), and D Jake Sanderson (upper body).

Trends:

Chicago:

  • 17-37 in the last 54 after scoring two goals or less in their previous game
  • 15-36 in the last 51 road games
  • 5-13 in the last 18 games playing on one day of rest
  • 6-21 in the last 27 games following a loss of three or more goals

Ottawa:

  • 6-1 in the last seven overall
  • 4-0 in the last four after allowing two goals or less in their previous game
  • 7-1 in the last eight Friday games

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Ottawa Senators Pick

The Blackhawks have the least efficient team in the NHL in terms of scoring as they score 2.40 goals per game this year. Chicago scored more than two goals in just two of the last nine games, while Ottawa limited its opponents to three or fewer goals in five of the last seven games. I am backing the Senators to get a win here; they are averaging 3.00 goals per contest and also have a stronger defense, and although the hosts are starting inexperienced Mads Sogaard between the sticks, I am going with Ottawa.

Pick: Take the Senators at -1.5 Puck Line (+112)

The Total

I already mentioned Chicago’s offensive woes and Ottawa’s solid defense of late, and with that in correlation, I don’t expect to see a high-scoring affair. Petr Mrazek is not impressing recently as he allowed at least three goals in each of his previous five starts, but even if the hosts score four or five on Friday, I am not sure the Blackhawks will contribute enough on offense. Under is 10-4 in the Blackhawks’ last 14 road games; Under is 27-13 in the Senators’ previous 40 overall, while Under is 10-4 in Ottawa’s last 14 home games.

Pick: Go Under 6.5 goals (-110)