NHL Free Picks - Ottawa Senators at Montreal Canadians

Game Time:

Saturday, October 17th – 7PM ET Bell Centre, Montreal 

Ottawa has been treading water so far this season, trying to find an identity after trading away Dany Heatley over the summer. After the Sens 7-1 drubbing of Tampa on Thursday, they may not need to look far. Milan Michalek, a key part in the Heatley deal, scored a hat trick in the game, and coupled with Jonathon Cheechoo, the Senators may not have lost the offensive numbers Heatley brought to the table. After an opening game loss, Ottawa has won four of five games to sit at a healthy 4-2-0.

The Canadians have been slumping after a promising start. After winning two OT thrillers, the Habs have lost four straight, their latest a 3-2 loss to the surging Avalanche on Thursday. Carey Price looked good at the start of the season as well, but has looked out of place since the 7-1 loss to Vancouver two weeks ago. The Habs are still learning a new system under Head Coach Jacques Martin, and their offseason acquisitions are still learning about each other.

What The Senators Have To Do To Win:

As good as their offense can be, the Senators goaltending will be the key in this and most games this season. Pascal Leclaire is arguably the most talented goaltender (not named Hasek) to wear an Ottawa jersey, and Brian Elliot is no slouch as a backup. Together, the duo has allowed only 14 goals in five games. Leclaire gives the Sens a confident goaltender, and that confidence spreads to the rest of the team. As long as Leclaire is doing well, the rest of the team will follow.

The Sens most glaring black spot on the season has been their power play efficiency. They’ve scored only twice in 20 chances, and sit in the bottom five of the league in that category. They have talent on their power play unit, with Daniel Alfredsson and Mike Fisher, so it should be only a matter of time before they turn that ship around.

What The Canadians Have To Do To Win:

Carey Price has to play better. The breakout star of the 2007 season regressed last year, and Montreal needs him to return to his rookie form if they want any chance at a good season. He seems easily rattled this season and is unable to recover from bad goals or bad games. His save percentage is below .900 for the season so far, something that needs to be improved.

A bright spot for Montreal is the offensive production of some of their new players. Brian Gionta has three goals in the season so far and Mike Cammalleri has four points. Not great numbers, but solid for a team with a new coach and new identity. Montreal needs to figure out who they are and how they’re going to play, or else they’ll start falling down the Eastern Conference ladder.

Outlook & Pick:

Ottawa and Montreal are two teams heading in different directions. As long as Pascal Leclaire stays healthy the Senators will be able to contend with any team. If Carey Price doesn’t improve the Habs will be headed down to the basement of the conference, and fast. Ottawa seems to have nicely rebounded from the fiasco that was the Dany Heatley trade, and in the end, they may be even better because of it. That’s a scary thought for the rest of the Northeast Division.

Pick: Ottawa Senators