The Coach's Free Play
(NHL) Columbus vs. Ottawa,
Money Line: -157.00 Ottawa (Home)
Result: Loss
The Ottawa Senators will host the Columbus Blue Jackets in a conference matchup. The Blue Jackets are coming off a huge 7-1 blowout win over St. Louis last night. The Senators meanwhile haven't played since Thursday night. These two teams have met twice already and the Senators took both meetings. The Senators will have the advantage of rest and home ice in this game and it should be enough to get the win.

Here are my keys to the game:

Good matchup for the Senators- Ottawa is 4-1 against the Blue Jackets the last three seasons. The Senators haven't lost to the Jackets since the 2013 season.

Jackets goaltending woes-Curtis McElhinney, who made 32 saves Friday, is 0-3-0 with a 3.82 GAA in four starts against Ottawa. The other option is rookie Anton Forsberg, who is 0-2-0 with a 4.35 GAA in three starts. Columbus all-star goalie Sergei Bobrovsky is out with an injury.

X-Factor- The Senators top scorer Bobby Ryan leads the team with 37 points but has gone point-less in two straight. It's difficult to keep this guy down and we should look for him to make a difference in this game.

Selection: This is a 1* Free Play on the Ottawa Senators.