Scott Rickenbach
Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NHL Game #24 Friday Free Pick Ottawa Senators Money Line (+) vs Columbus Blue Jackets @ 7:05 ET - There are rumors swirling about the upcoming trade deadline and this has certainly impacted the Senators as they sat some players last night and ended up getting embarrassed 4-0 at New Jersey. However, let us not forget that Blue Jackets goalie Sergei Bobrovsky has also been rumored as possibly being dealt and he is supposed to get the start tonight for Columbus. I know he is playing better in February but he had a horrific January and I believe the rumors are still a factor in his mind and the mental state of a goalie is so important to their overall play. All factors considered, I see no justification for the Blue Jackets being a 2 to 1 favorite on the road against anyone in the entire league. Columbus is no powerhouse and let us not forget that the Senators won 2 of 3 games on their most recent homestand and that included knocking off the Jets! Ottawa followed that up by also winning a game at Winnipeg! The point is the Senators are fully capable of playing a solid game when they are motivated. After an embarrassing shutout loss on the road last night, they are motivated for tonight's match-up on home ice no doubt. The Blue Jackets enter this game off back to back losses and have lost 8 of their last 13. Yet they are a 2 to 1 favorite here on the road! Columbus has a strong road record on the season but has only won 6 of their past 11 on enemy ice. The Senators as a huge home dog are absolutely worthy of an investment here. Free Pick OTTAWA