Despite Florida's low scoring record this season (only 233 goals in 78 games), head-to-head statistics suggest otherwise. The last three meetings between these teams this season have yielded 9, 8, and 5 goals, with the winner scoring 6 goals in each of the last two games. The Panthers are clearly comfortable offensively against the Senators, creating a solid foundation for an over-the-top total.
Ottawa enters the game in excellent form, having earned points in 7 of their last 10 games, and remains in playoff contention. The team is averaging 3 goals per game, but its defense remains vulnerable, as evidenced by the 4 goals they allowed to Tampa Bay and 6 to Florida last week.
Given Ottawa's tournament motivation and the traditionally high-scoring nature of this matchup, betting on over 5 goals seems logical. Both teams will not be locked down in defense, and the high probability of goals both at even strength and in the majority allows us to expect that this total will be broken.
