Posted on 12/7/2007 4:38:01 PM

Bet On NHL - Ottawa Senators vs. Dallas Stars

By Robby Maddux

The Ottawa Senators (-130) and Dallas Stars (+110) lead their respective divisions as they meet this evening at American Airlines Center making for spectacular NHL betting action and we have all your money-making information, key trends and selection.

The Senators finally ended a seven-game skid Wednesday with a 5-4 victory at Florida. The win also improved Ottawa to 7-2-2 SU (straight up) on the road, with the two losses in regulation the fewest in the NHL.

Overall, the Senators are 17-7-3 SU which is good enough for Northeast Division supremacy with a conference-leading 37 points, but they're only 10-17 ATS (against the spread).

Ottawa ranks second-best in the league offensively with 3.22 goals per game. They've scored 87 goals (fourth-best in the NHL) this season led by right wing Daniel Alfredsson, who's put the biscuit in the baskets 19 times and has 20 assists for 39 points.

Poor play in net from Ray Emery and Martin Gerber has been a problem for the Senators. Emery's 21-save performance against

Florida gave him his first win since Nov. 1. The effort may have landed him a third consecutive start tonight.

Emery is 0-1 with a 2.01 GAA (goals-against average) in his sole appearance over his career versus Dallas. At home, he's 2-2 on the year with a 2.64 GAA.

Ottawa hasn't won consecutive games since concluding its 15-2-0 start in mid-November. The Senators are meeting the Stars for the first time since a 2-0 loss in Ottawa on Dec. 15, 2005. They have also lost their last two trips to Dallas by 5-3 scores, with the most recent coming on Jan. 28, 2004.

- Senators are 12-4 in their last 16 Friday games.

- Senators are 1-5 in their last 6 vs. Western Conference.

- Senators are 1-6 in their last 7 vs. Pacific.

- Senators are 37-18 in their last 55 games following a win.

- Senators are 1-4 in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.

- Senators are 1-4 in their last 5 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game.

- Senators are 19-9 in their last 28 road games.

The Stars have dropped three of their last five games overall, including a 3-2 defeat to San Jose on Wednesday. It was the fourth time in the last five contests Dallas failed to score more than two goals.

They are now 15-10-4 SU and 14-15 ATS this year. Dallas leads the Pacific Division and has 34 points. They have been solid at home with a 7-4-2 SU mark.

Offensively, the Stars rank seventh in the league with 81 goals (2.76 per game). Center Mike Ribeiro leads the team in scoring with 11 goals.

Marty Turco, who made 25 saves against the Sharks, has been strong of late, going 4-2-0 with a 1.82 GAA in his last six outings. He has also won all three of his career starts against Ottawa, posting a 2.00 GAA with one shutout.

- Stars are 6-2 in their last 8 vs. Eastern Conference.

- Stars are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. Northeast.

- Stars are 20-8 in their last 28 vs. a team with a winning % above .600.

- Stars are 124-55-15 in their last 194 home games.

- Stars are 8-3 in their last 11 overall.

NHL odds list Ottawa the money-line favorites at -130 with a spread of -1½ +210 and a game total of 5½ under -115.

- Senators are 36-16 in their last 52 games as a favorite.

- Senators are 1-4 in their last 5 games as a favorite of -110 to -150.

- Senators are 16-5 in their last 21 games as a road favorite.

- Senators are 10-3 in their last 13 games as a road favorite of -110 to -150.

- Stars are 6-2 in their last 8 games as an underdog of +110 to +150.

- Over is 4-1-1 in the last 6 meetings.

- Over is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Dallas.

Analysis: The home team is 5-2 in the last seven games between these two, but tonight it'll be the visiting Senators who'll collect the cash. Ottawa is a strong team offensively and they're more than due to post back-to-back victories.

NHL Free Picks: Ottawa Senators -130

Score big with online sports betting in the BetUS.com sportsbook, where you’ll find NHL odds and lines for every NHL hockey game of the year. If you like to bet on NHL hockey, you’ll love the NHL player and game props in our online sportsbook. Join BetUS today!