Scoreboard	1	2	3	Odds
Ottawa Senators 23-20-7	2	0	2	+5.5
Columbus Blue Jackets 23-20-6-1	1	0	0	-10000

Ottawa Senators vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, NHL Odds

This is the third and deciding game in the season series between the Senators and Blue Jackets. Last month, Ottawa beat Columbus by a score of 6-3, and then a few weeks later, Columbus returned the favour with a 4-1 win. The stakes are higher in this edition of Senators vs Blue Jackets than in the prior two matchups.

These teams are tied in the Eastern Conference standings with 51 points, which puts them six points out of the second wild-card spot. Although the second half of the season is fully underway, there is plenty of hockey remaining this season. If either team is going to jump the several contenders in the playoff picture, every point matters. This will be a hard-fought game for two important points.

Senators vs. Blue Jackets NHL Betting Odds

The odds in this one are a toss-up. Both teams are -110 on the moneyline, but the puckline reflects -1.5 for Columbus at +200 odds. The game total is 6.5 with the Over carrying -125 odds and the Under sitting +105. The Senators are 29-19 to the Over, but Columbus is just 23-23-2.

Not much separates these teams at the moment, as evidenced by the pick ’em odds and their shared 51 points through 48 games. Ottawa has 10 points in their last 10 games, and Columbus has 11 points in their last 10. Ottawa has points in its previous four games, while Columbus has won four straight. The Senators’ Tim Stützle (+180 to score) is one to watch tonight, as he leads Ottawa with 12 road goals but has scored just once in their last four road contests.

Ottawa Senators

Ottawa’s rollercoaster season has continued in the calendar year. The Senators have been one of the hottest and coldest teams in the league this season. They have not been too high or too low. Even entering this game, they are 2-2-2 in their last six games.

This team got a taste of the playoffs last year for the first time in nearly a decade. They have no interest in entering another offseason falling short of cracking the playoffs. With the runway of the season shortening and a crowded Eastern Conference, the Senators should be kicking things into their highest gear. They’ll bring a strong effort tonight.

Columbus Blue Jackets

Columbus’ dismissal of Dean Evanson last week caught more of the hockey world by surprise. Evanson led the Blue Jackets in an excellent, resilient season last year in which they just barely missed the postseason. At the time of his firing, Columbus was .500.

Nevertheless, Columbus hired long-time coach Rick Bowness, and they are off to a great start in his tenure. The Jackets enter this game winners of four straight and are back at home, where they are 3-0-1 this month.

NHL Prediction: Who Will Win Senators vs. Blue Jackets?

In a game between a couple of fairly even teams with a slim margin of error, the Blue Jackets are the more reliable play at the moment. Although neither team has been a model for consistency this season, Columbus has found a spark and is playing well lately.

While Ottawa has the upside of a playoff team, they have been a tough bet all season (19-29 against the puckline). This game is no exception, having dropped six out of their last eight. Tonight has the makings of a 4-3 Columbus win.