Posted on 5/31/2007 3:55:01 PM

NHL Playoffs Betting – Anaheim Ducks Dominating Ottawa Senators

By Ringo Dalewood

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With two games in the books in the 2007 Stanley Cup series, the favored Ducks are well on their way to hoisting Lord Stanley’s Cup by next week. What is going on with the Senators? Games one and two might have only been decided by a single point, but the margin is a lot larger than the scoreboard reflects.

Anaheim has outshot Ottawa 63-36 in the first two games. That is simply ridiculous. They have outplayed the highly-touted Senators in almost every important statistical category. More importantly, they have been controlling the pace of the games.

Ottawa came to play in game two, throwing the body as best as they could. Big hits littered the first period in game two, but Ottawa was still getting owned. Their hits were also putting them in the penalty box as two big hits were levied with boarding penalties.

The fact is that the Senators only play well when they have teams on their heels. With Pronger and Niedermayer holding down the fort on defense, that is never going to happen to Anaheim. The checking line for Anaheim has completely owned the fearsome top-line for Ottawa as well, which is certainly not helping matters.

The Pahlsson-Niedermayer-Moen line has not only shut down the Spezza line, they have also been scoring on them. Forcing the top line to play defense is a great way to keep them from scoring, but the fact that the top line has been on the ice for two game-winning goals is indicative if a glaring weakness in Ottawa.

Are they a one-trick pony? It certainly seems that way. The other three lines for the Senators are certainly capable, but they will never make headlines for their scoring touch. And with the Spezza line only racking one shot on goal in a pivotal third period, there is not much to be hopeful for in Ottawa.

 

The Ducks have simply been playing at an exceptional level. The defenseman have been like the Great Wall of China on the blue-line, while their team defense has made it impossible for Ottawa to set up properly on offense. The aforementioned checking line, headlined by Rob Niedermayer, has not only shut down the top line for the Senators, they have also been scoring. Talk about weird.

The crazy thing for Anaheim is that Selanne has not been able to produce yet. When he does, it’s lights out for Ottawa. The special teams have been outstanding. The power play has had plenty of chances, and their penalty kill also shut down a second five-on-three power play for the Senators.

With the series heading back to Ottawa, the Senators have a lot of questions to answer. Can the top line deliver? Can Spezza-Heatley-Alfredsson beat Pronger and Niedermayer? Is Ray Emery good enough? With so many questions lingering over Ottawa, the only question you should be asking is where you should put your money.

As I said at the start of the series, your money should be sitting with the Ducks.

Bet on Anaheim now at -350 for the series in the BetUS sportsbook to bully their way past the Senators. But the Stanley Cup can bring the best out in teams, and this Senators team has more reliance then they have shown in the first two games.

For now, however, expect the Ducks to continue to dominate the games from here on in. Not only are they better then the Sens, now they know they can own them. Sorry Ottawa. That 80-year drought will be extended at least one more season.

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