Something's got to give when the Ottawa Senators (6-12-1) visit the Anaheim Ducks (6-13-1) on Friday afternoon. This is a game that doesn't exactly have a lot of playoff implications, as these clubs have started the 2022-23 NHL season as the two worst teams in the league each having just 13 points. The Senators have dropped three in a row, but Anaheim has a bit of momentum with a 3-2 win over the Rangers on Tuesday to cash as +139 underdogs. Anaheim has a bit of an edge being at home, but the Senators might also be considered the better team as they've been favored in five of their last nine (2-6-1). It's also somewhat shocking that this is a toss-up line considering Ottawa is just 1-6-1 on the road this season.
The Senators aren't living by a winning formula lately, allowing 4+ goals in four of their last five while at the same time scoring two or less in four of those five as well. Ottawa has a solid goaltending duo – on paper at least – but Cam Talbot is just 1-5 since his season debut on November 3rd after an upper body injury. A lot of Talbot's poor record is on the Senators' lack of offense though as he does have a decent 2.83 GAA which is 25th in the NHL.
It's either Talbot or Anton Forsberg in net vs. the Ducks, and Forsberg is coming around in allowing just five goals in his last three appearances after giving up 17 in his previous four. Despite decent numbers from both goaltenders, Ottawa ranks 28th in the NHL in goals allowed (3.6) and 27th in shots allowed (33.9).
One thing that gives Ottawa some value in Friday afternoon's meeting is that their offense might not be as bad as one goal scored in each of their last three losses would indicate. The Senators do rank 15th in the NHL scoring 3.2 goals/game and are firing off the 9th most shots (32.8) but that really hasn't equated to wins.