PREMIUM
Rogers' PUCK LINE PUNISHER >> Won 10* NFL Game of the Year Sunday!
(NHL) Ottawa vs. Minnesota,
Point Spread: 1.50 | -168.00 Ottawa (Away)
Result: Loss
Point Spread: 1.50 | -168.00 Ottawa (Away)
Result: Loss
The set-up: The 25-17-5 Minnesota Wild will conclude a four-game homestand Monday with hopes of extending their point streak to six contests when they host the 15-20-9 Ottawa Senators. Minnesota is 2-0-1 on its current stretch at Xcel Energy Center, after improving to 3-0-2 in its last five overall with Saturday's 5-2 triumph over Tampa Bay. Meanwhile, Ottawa looks to avoid a third straight loss after dropping a 4-3 home decision to Toronto on Saturday. Neither team is currently inside the playoff cut line, although the Wild's 55 points have them tied with the Avs and Kings for the West's final spot, with Colorado currently owning the tiebreaker. As for the Senators, their 39 points leave them 15th of 16 teams in the East, 14 points out of playoff consideration.
Ottawa: The Senators have lost three of four and have drifting out of the playoff picture. Reports surfaced this week that general manager Pierre Dorion is meeting privately with players in anticipation that the Senators will be sellers at the trade deadline, although head coach Guy Boucher would not elaborate on those conversations. "What we do inside is not something I talk about outside," Boucher said after Saturday's 4-3 home loss to Toronto. "Whether we talk to a few guys or whether we decide to ... that's internal stuff."
Boucher gave his players a day off practice on Sunday before the trip to Minnesota, not because he wanted to but because the Senators are such a mess of injuries that he wanted them to have as much rest as possible. Mark Stone notched a pair of assists in the 4-3 set backon Saturday to increase his team-leading total to 44 points, with 10 (three goals) coming in his last six contests.
Minnesota: Marcus Foligno ended a lengthy goal-scoring drought for the Wild in the win over the Lightning, tallying for the first time since Nov. 2, which halted a 33-game string of futility. Zach Parise recorded his first goal since returning from offseason back surgery on Saturday, giving him two points in eight contests this campaign. Veteran center Matt Cullen notched an assist versus the Lightning to end his six-game point drought and reach 700 for his career.
The pick: The Wild are unbeaten in regulation in their last eight at home (6-0-2) and have earned at least one point in 16 of their last 17 home games (13-1-3). However, I'm taking a shot with the Senators in this one, taking the 1 1/2 goals and making Ottawa an 8* play.
Ottawa: The Senators have lost three of four and have drifting out of the playoff picture. Reports surfaced this week that general manager Pierre Dorion is meeting privately with players in anticipation that the Senators will be sellers at the trade deadline, although head coach Guy Boucher would not elaborate on those conversations. "What we do inside is not something I talk about outside," Boucher said after Saturday's 4-3 home loss to Toronto. "Whether we talk to a few guys or whether we decide to ... that's internal stuff."
Boucher gave his players a day off practice on Sunday before the trip to Minnesota, not because he wanted to but because the Senators are such a mess of injuries that he wanted them to have as much rest as possible. Mark Stone notched a pair of assists in the 4-3 set backon Saturday to increase his team-leading total to 44 points, with 10 (three goals) coming in his last six contests.
Minnesota: Marcus Foligno ended a lengthy goal-scoring drought for the Wild in the win over the Lightning, tallying for the first time since Nov. 2, which halted a 33-game string of futility. Zach Parise recorded his first goal since returning from offseason back surgery on Saturday, giving him two points in eight contests this campaign. Veteran center Matt Cullen notched an assist versus the Lightning to end his six-game point drought and reach 700 for his career.
The pick: The Wild are unbeaten in regulation in their last eight at home (6-0-2) and have earned at least one point in 16 of their last 17 home games (13-1-3). However, I'm taking a shot with the Senators in this one, taking the 1 1/2 goals and making Ottawa an 8* play.
