Ottawa is playing some good hockey right now but is on the second of a road back-to-back and thus starts journeyman James Reimer in net and he's really the fade reason (sorry a bit late, the Sens waited forever to confirm him). Reimer allowed four goals in a home loss to the Canes on Jan. 24. Carolina has won six of eight and plays its final home game for more than three weeks due to the break. In the New Year, the Canes are 7-0-1 at the Lenovo Center. Brandon Bussi has been lights out everywhere at 21-3-1 with a 2.21 GAA. His 14 wins on home ice are tied for the second-most among NHL goalies.

This is a spot that I look for quite often. Carolina defeated the Senators less than 10 days ago, 4-1, despite getting outshot 37-19 in Ottawa. The Senators are 5-3 SU and 6-2 ATS when playing with zero days' rest this season. One of the losses was when they played in Utah and Colorado back-to-back. Ottawa is one of the few teams that can match Carolina’s defensive tenacity. The Hurricanes are coming off two OT games, and they are just 21-34 ATS this season. Carolina is undoubtedly a strong team, but their impressive record has been aided by facing the league's 11th easiest schedule.