LiontipsToronto vs Ottawa. Prediction and Betting Tips for NHL (January 2, 2022).
Command Analysis
Torontowere concedered one of the favourites even before the start of the season. Currently they are in the top-5 in the East, proving that status. The Maple Leafs are playing open hockey, and it has been paying off so far. However, the Leafs played their last matches two weeks ago, and it is hard to say whether they are in good form at the moment.
Before the break, Toronto beat Chicago at home (5:4) and crushed Edmonton away (5:1). Now the team is weakened by COVID and many of the top players have been placed in protocol. For example, today Toronto will be without Marner, Simmonds, Spezza, and Tavares.
Ottawa, on the contrary, are one of the outsiders in the East and the league in general. The club has been doing poorly in recent years, but sometimes even the Senators can surprise their fans. For instance, before the break, Ottawa crushed Tampa (4:0) and Florida (8:2), some of the strongest teams in the NHL.
After that, however, the Senators lost to the Lightning (1:2) and to Philadelphia (3:4 OT). Due to illness, Ottawa's main goalies, Forsberg and Gustavsson, won't be able to help their team in the upcoming match, which means it will be a tough game for the visitors.
Trends
СтавкаOttawa IT under 2.5 goals
In 4 out of 5 games against Toronto, the Senators scored fewer than 3 goals.
Ставка3rd period: Toronto to win
In 4 out of 5 games between the clubs, the Leafs won the third period.
Tip and bets
Toronto haven't played in quite a long time, and they have serious problems with the line-up. Ottawa will be playing without their main goaltenders, so they will have to rely on their attacking line. Most of the previous games between the two sides were quite close, so it is hard to predict, who will get the upper hand in this fixture, but we suggest taking a risk and playing the victory of the Senators with a positive handicap.
Our prediction - Asian handicap (+2) to Ottawa
Both Toronto and Ottawa concede a lot, so we will be taking the over here.
Second prediction - total over 5.5 goals
