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Canadiens Face Live-Dog Senators on Tuesday

NHL Preview: Ottawa Senators at Montreal Canadiens, March 2

The Ottawa Senators (8-15-1) are in the NHL North Division basement, but they’ve had great success against the Montreal Canadiens (9-6-5). The Sens have taken three of four from the Habs this season, and all four games have been decided by one goal. Montreal is clinging to its playoff position with a slippery grip, and has lost five consecutive contests.

Updated NHL odds on our sportsbook show the Senators as road dogs vs the Canadiens in Montreal on March 3. Ottawa netminder Matt Murray has played extremely well against Montreal, and Habs’ G Jake Allen has apparently unseated Carey Price. This should be a low-scoring thriller, and online sports betting is here to help you to butter your popcorn. Let’s dig into the particulars and pick some winners!

Drake Batherson of the Ottawa Senators and Johan Larsson the Buffalo Sabres track the puck after a face-off
Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images/AFP

Ottawa Senators at Montreal Canadiens

Tuesday, March 2 at 7 p.m. EST

Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec

NHL Betting Vitals

Puck Line: Senators +1½ (-110) , Canadiens -1½ (-110)

Money Line: Senators +220, Canadiens -260

Goal Totals: 6½

Murray Owns Habs, Batherson White Hot

Two-time Stanley Cup Champion Matt Murray’s transition from the Penguins to the Senators has not been especially smooth. Murray was traded by Pittsburgh to Ottawa in October 2020, posting a disappointing 6-10-1 record thus far. However, Murray has thrived against Montreal this season, going 3-1 with a 2.41 GAA.

Murray’s performances against the Canadiens has been leaps and bounds above his results versus other competitors, which must be considered. In his career, Murray holds a 7-2-0 record when playing Montreal, with a 2.40 GAA and a .924 save percentage. The Thunder Bay, Ontario native has won four of his previous five starts, and is heating up.

Most recently, Murray and the Senators extinguished the Flames with a dominant 5-1 home ice victory. RW Drake Batherson notched two goals, giving the young sharpshooter a total of nine goals and eight assists for 2021. Batherson has scored a goal in six straight contests, tickling the twine seven times during that span.

Julien Fired, Price Wrong In Montreal

The Canadiens have been straight abysmal since their 7-1-2 start to the season. As a result, coaches Claude Julien and Kirk Muller are gone, and veteran goaltender Carey Price skates on thin ice. It appears that Jake Allen is unseating Price as I type this.

Allen has proven to be starter material between the pipes, posting a lean 2.12 GAA which accompanies a 4-2-2 record. It’s not likely that Allen will be enough on his own to stop the bleeding, but it’s definitely a start. Montreal is hemorrhaging its season away.

Betting Forecast

Based on the Canadiens continued downward spiral, and Murray’s dominance of Montreal as of late, Ottawa is looking great here. Both the Senators’ puck line and moneyline are extremely attractive, offering tremendous upside. All of the head-to-head matchups between the Sens and Habs this year have been decided by just one goal.

Ottawa +1½ is beautiful at -110, and taking the Senators straight up +220 is an option dripping with opportunity. Additionally, only one of the four head-to-head matchups referenced above produced a total of seven or more goals. This tidbit combined with the quality goalie play on both sides, ushers in the under to complete the gambling trifecta.

NHL Free Pick ATS: Ottawa Senators +1½

NHL Free Pick $$$:  Ottawa Senators +220

NHL Free Pick O/U: Under 6½ Total Goals

New to online sports betting? BetUs can get you started. Visit our website to learn how to place bets online. It’s quick and easy, and you can begin betting almost right away. Feel free to check out our sportsbook reviews section as well. We’re here to help enhance your sports viewing experience! Bet wisely and bet often!

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