Hockey Free Play: Senators at Blue Jackets

By: Rich Douglas

The Play: Over 5.5 Goals

The Senators and Blue Jackets meet up tonight in a tilt between two back up goaltenders that are trying to get their teams on the right tract after lofty preseason expectations.

Why this game is going over 5.5 goals:

-The Senators are allowing an NHL worst 40.3 shots/60min in 5 on 5 situations.
-They're also very proficient in getting the puck on net themselves with 33 shots/60min.
-Both teams are in the top 10 in Goals for and Shots for/60min on the power play.
-The Blue Jackets are getting 30 shots on net and allowing 30 shots on net/60min in 5 on 5 situations. Those are middle of the road numbers, and they should open up a little more than normal while playing the leagues most wide open team.
-For what it's worth, both backups are in tonight (Lehner vs. McElhinney), and while Lehner is the future for the Sens, he's still no Craig Anderson.
-The Senators really need to turn their season around, they're 27th in Fenwick and are still a middle of the road team in the standings. I'm not sure if that's good or bad for them as they have tons of potential.
-The Senators have played 4 straight over games.