2010 Ottawa Senators
Written by Anthony Moretti - Google +
The Ottawa Senators had an interesting off-season for the second year in a row. Star forward Jason Spezza went on record saying we would not mind being dealt, apparently upset at being “booed” at home during the playoffs. The Sens also made a major roster move in acquiring defense-man Sergei Gonchar after letting Anton Volchenkov walk via free agency. Although Sergei Gonchar maybe aging the oft injured journeyman will help the Sens power-play that ranked 21st in the league, last season despite having major scoring talent upfront.
I also like the shift in styles the acquisition of Gonchar represents, with the departures of Andy Sutton and Anton Volchenkov the Senators have gone to a more puck moving defensive style instead of a more blue collar approach. This style change suits their fore-checking attack the Senators have forwards who can put the puck in the net, if they are able to create more odd man rushes.
What will be interesting to see is how second (full) year coach Corey Clouston and the Senators react coming into a season with higher expectations. It is fair to say that last seasons 5th place finish in the East and the teams valiant effort against Pittsburgh in the playoffs despite being short handed due to injury caught most of the NHL world by surprise. The Senators certainly appeared to be on the down swing after collapsing midway through the 2008-2009 season after struggling with then goaltender Ray Emery. Deserved or not the Ottawa Senators have long had the reputation of a team lacking the mental toughness needed to be successful when it mattered most.
Looking at the Odds
Bodog currently is offering the Ottawa Senators at 35 to 1 odds of winning the Stanley Cup
The Sens really are long shots to win the Stanley Cup they lack the overall roster depth that got them to the finals in 2007. Plus without a clear number one goaltender it seems a successful season for these Sens would be another trip back to the post-season.
Where you can find value on the Senators is at home, over the last 3 seasons the Sens are 22-15-4, 26-11-4, 22-12-7 for an unreal 70 wins in a 123 attempts 57% and this is without counting over-time victories by shootout. The Senators are traditionally tough on home ice, look for them against even the league’s elite teams to cover straight up one the Money Line and consider them any time they get posted as dogs at home. But be weary of the taking the Senators against the spread (ATS) as last season the Sens went 34-48 ATS and their dangerous trend of allowing more goals per game average than they score per game average (2.8 vs 2.7) does not lend itself to covering -1.5 goals very often.
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