NHL Saturday Night Preview - Best Betting Games

NHL Weekend Preview

In a weekend packed with wagering options, make sure NHL betting is on your to-do list. There is a ton of action on Saturday, with some of the league's most exciting teams hitting the ice. Check out this Saturday's most intriguing matchups . . .

Ottawa Senators at Montreal Canadiens

The Senators will be coming off a home game with the Tampa Bay Lightning before making the trip east to Montreal. Ottawa is off to a solid start despite the lack of offense. The Sens are scoring just over two goals a game and had the NHL's worst power play at just 6.7 percent (1-for-15) heading into Thursday night. Head coach Cory Clouston had the team focusing on special teams earlier this week and told the media he's tried to simplify the offensive sets to help get more shots on goal. There's also no doubt the power play is missing the aggressive attack of Dany Heatley, who was dealt to San Jose last month.

The Habs have scoring issues of their own, making this a smart UNDER play by NHL handicapping standards. Montreal is averaging only 2.5 goals per game and will be coming off a home game against the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday night. The Canadiens’ lineup has been slowed by injuries, hurting the team's chemistry. Coach Jacques Martin has juggled his forward lines and power play unit, trying to get some offense from all his new faces. On top of the line moves Montreal must stiffen up on the penalty kill, as they were holding off just over 68 percent of opponents' power plays this season prior to facing the Avs.

Tampa Bay Lightning at Pittsburgh Penguins

The Lighting will make the trip to Pittsburgh following their game in Ottawa on Thursday. Tampa Bay sat atop the underachieving Southeast Division with just a 2-1-2 record before facing the Sens. They'd managed to snap their winless streak with back-to-back victories before hitting the road. Tampa Bay is getting great production from its top line of Steve Stamkos, Martin St. Louis, and Ryan Malone, which had produced 11 of the team's 15 goals this season. The problem is the letdown when that trio isn't on the ice. Coach Rick Tocchet told reporters the team needs more from guys like Vincent Lecavalier, Alex Tanguay, and Stephane Veilleux.

So much for a Stanley Cup hangover. The Penguins know they have a target on their backs this season and have been playing with the same desperation that got them into the postseason and eventually fueled their championship run. Pittsburgh has a few days to rest heading into the weekend. That rest will come in handy for top defenseman Sergei Gonchar, who has been fighting a cold since training camp. He has five points through the first seven games of the season - that's as many as star center Sidney Crosby has picked up. The Penguins have played UNDER the betting total in both of their last two contests.