Everyone loves a good underdog story, and the Ottawa Senators have certainly been that during this unexpected playoff run. The opening round series versus the Boston Bruins looked like a bit of a coin flip, and it was the Senators who won in 6. Things looked as though they were going to get a whole lot more difficult in the second round, as the New York Rangers are a team built on explosive offense, yet the Senators put them away in 6 games, too. Ottawa has taken advantage of their chances during this improbable run, edging out close games, and going into OT more often than seems natural. This is a team that always seems to be on the brink of defeat, yet who somehow manage to find a way to pull things out at the last second. That may be a style of play that does not hold up very well against the defending Stanley Cup champions, but there is always the possibility that the Senators have one more surprise in them. Find the latest NHL betting spreads here.
A Closer Look At The Ottawa Senators 2017 NHL Betting Analysis
Ottawa Senators Strengths
While the Pittsburgh Penguins have a number of big name stars in their line-up, it’s fair to say that the fate of the Senators hinges on the play of Erik Karlsson. Not only is he the best defenseman in the NHL, he also posts numbers that would put a lot of forwards to shame. Through the first 12 games of the playoffs, Karlsson has amassed 13 points, and all while playing with a pair of hairline fractures in his foot. The good news for the Senators is that it has not just been a one-man show through their playoff run, as they have been getting input from some rather unexpected sources, most notably from Bobby Ryan. Despite only picking up 25 points in the regular season, Ryan has cranked it up in the postseason, delivering a pair of game winning goals.
