PREMIUM
Rogers' 10* Underdog SURPRISE >> **$20 TUESDAY**
(NHL) Ottawa vs. Philadelphia,
Money Line: 113.00 Ottawa (Away)
Result: Loss
Money Line: 113.00 Ottawa (Away)
Result: Loss
The set-up: The 41-25-8 Ottawa Senators have won just two of their last seven games (2-3-2) but with 90 points, are within three points of the Canadiens (93) for the top spot in the Atlantic Divisions. They open a four-game road trip tonight in Philadelphia to face the 35-32-8 Flyers, who find themselves with only faint postseason hopes. Philadelphia (78 points) is six points behind Boston for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with just seven games remaining on its schedule
Ottawa: The Senators can't be happy that three of the team's last five losses have come at the hands of the division-leading Canadiens but the team insists it is looking forward, not backwards. "We've played some good hockey lately and some not-so-good hockey, so consistency is still a huge part," forward Zack Smith told the Ottawa Citizen. "Eight games is still a lot of games and lot can happen in those eight games. If we can find some consistency, and some rhythm, which I know we will, then we'll be ready for the playoffs." With eight games remaining and one game in hand, the Ottawa Senators still have hopes of catching the Montreal Canadiens and winning the Atlantic Division title. In order to do so, the Senators will need to take advantage of a remaining schedule in which they face five teams currently out of the playoffs, starting with Tuesday's matchup against the Flyers.
Philadelphia: The Flyers open a three-game homestand with this contest. Talking about his team's playoff chances, defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere told Philly.com, "We just control what's in our control right now -- and that's winning games." The Flyers are trying to use the energy of Sunday night's 6-2 win in Pittsburgh to their advantage. However, since their 10-game win streak from Nov.27 to Dec. 14, the Flyers have gone just 16-22-5. How can anyone really think that this team is ready for prime time when only the Colorado Avalanche have a worse record in that time?
The pick: The Senators are a playoff-bound team which still has a reasonable chance to win the Atlantic Division, while the Flyers' season is all but over. Ottawa has been a solid road team all season (21-14-0) and while the Flyers are 21-11-4 at home on the season, they are just 5-4-1 on home ice since Feb. 4. Make the Senators a 10* play.
Ottawa: The Senators can't be happy that three of the team's last five losses have come at the hands of the division-leading Canadiens but the team insists it is looking forward, not backwards. "We've played some good hockey lately and some not-so-good hockey, so consistency is still a huge part," forward Zack Smith told the Ottawa Citizen. "Eight games is still a lot of games and lot can happen in those eight games. If we can find some consistency, and some rhythm, which I know we will, then we'll be ready for the playoffs." With eight games remaining and one game in hand, the Ottawa Senators still have hopes of catching the Montreal Canadiens and winning the Atlantic Division title. In order to do so, the Senators will need to take advantage of a remaining schedule in which they face five teams currently out of the playoffs, starting with Tuesday's matchup against the Flyers.
Philadelphia: The Flyers open a three-game homestand with this contest. Talking about his team's playoff chances, defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere told Philly.com, "We just control what's in our control right now -- and that's winning games." The Flyers are trying to use the energy of Sunday night's 6-2 win in Pittsburgh to their advantage. However, since their 10-game win streak from Nov.27 to Dec. 14, the Flyers have gone just 16-22-5. How can anyone really think that this team is ready for prime time when only the Colorado Avalanche have a worse record in that time?
The pick: The Senators are a playoff-bound team which still has a reasonable chance to win the Atlantic Division, while the Flyers' season is all but over. Ottawa has been a solid road team all season (21-14-0) and while the Flyers are 21-11-4 at home on the season, they are just 5-4-1 on home ice since Feb. 4. Make the Senators a 10* play.
