NHL Betting: Ottawa Senators vs. Florida Panthers Odds & Pick: April 6th 2010

Ottawa Senators vs. Florida Panthers
Free NHL Pick: Ottawa Senators -135 odds
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With so few games remaining in the season, I throw ATS stats out the window and focus primarily on motivational factors; for a number of different reasons I believe the value in this particular contest is on the Ottawa Senators: Florida was mathematically eliminated from playoff contention with its 4-1 loss to the Rangers on Saturday. It fell apart in the third, allowing four goals and lost for the fifth time in six games. Putting the “biscuit in the basket” has been an issue for the Panthers all year; they’ve been held to two goals or less in each of their last six contests with their forwards failing to score in the last two. Finding motivation to play competitively in their remaining games will be an issue for the Panthers until the end of the season. On the other side of the ice: Daniel Alfredsson will play his 1000th game tonight; after missing the post-season a year ago, the Sens have clinched a spot in this years playoffs, but a point tonight will lock them into at least the fifth position in the East.

Bottom line: Coming off a listless 4-1 loss to the Isles on Saturday, I expect this team to refocus; “We don’t want to relax just because we’re in a spot,” center Mike Fisher said. “We’ve had a good run and we’ll be ready and regroup.” With a first round matchup against either the Penguins or Devils, finishing the season strong and playing at a high level as it heads into the playoffs is obviously crucial for this teams success. I expect OTTAWA to take advantage of this situation.