New York at Ottawa

New York's defense continues to improve after a rough early season start at #15 in goals allowed, and #10 in penalty killing. Top-line center Mika Zibanejad is back at practice but still not ready to play. He hasn't played since November 26 (concussion) and the team comes off a 2-1 home loss to Dallas. They face a struggling Ottawa offense that was shut out three times and scored a total of five goals during its current five-game skid (0-4-1). Ottawa ranks #24 in goals scored, #27 on the power play, and is 26-10-2 UNDER the total at home against a team with a losing road record. Ottawa had to play last night, a 3-2 loss at Buffalo, so expect them to slow the pace down. And when these teams clash the UNDER is 33-12-11, including 14-6-7 UNDER in this building. This one stays UNDER in a defensive duel.