Premium NHL Pick: Feb 14 2010

OTTAWA SENATORS @ NY ISLANDERS

At Nassau Coliseum, Islanders will host the Ottawa Senators who are 35-23-4 this season and need to win this game to take the 1st place from Buffalo Sabres who beat the Sharks last night.

Senators had a good February so far as they have gone 8-2-0. They however lost in Detroit in their most recent game. Detroit Red Wings didn't let the Senators come back from an early 2-0 lead.

This will be third game between these teams and the Senators have a 2-0 lead against the Islanders in two game played at the Scotiabank's Place in Ottawa. Both games ended with a 2-2 score in regulation times.

Islanders welcomed back goaltender Biron and he helped his team win two games in last three games. Experienced goaltender Rick DiPietro is out with a flu and he is not expected to return until March.

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As for the Senators, they are without defender Erik Karlsson who has a shoulder injury, as well as forward Nick Foligno.

Senators were on fire in during their 11 game winning streak that came to an end before they beat the Washington Capitals. They may have lost against Detroit Red Wings but they have a very good squad and particularly Kovalev and Spezza have been excellent as of late. Kovalev has four points in last three games and he is going to be the key player tonight.

Islanders are a young team and they are inconsistent at times. Biron's return certainly helps them but I favor the Senators tonight as the Senators are a very well balanced team and they react well to defeats. They lost in Detroit and after Sabres beat the Sharks last night, they will be very motivated to beat the Islanders like they have done in previous two meetings.

Take Senators.

PREMIUM NHL PICK: OTTAWA SENATORS TO WIN [MONEYLINE]

1.75 @ Bodog.com

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