Ottawa Senators vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction, NHL Odds
The Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins are set for a Monday night matchup at PPG Paints Arena. The Senators are currently eight points out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, while the Penguins hold the No. 2 spot in the Metropolitan Division. It’s the second meeting of the season between these teams, with Ottawa taking the first matchup by a score of 4-0 on December 18.
This is a series the Senators have dominated in recent seasons, picking up wins in eight of their last 10 meetings with the Penguins going back to 2023.
Senators vs. Penguins NHL Betting Odds
The Senators own a 26-21-7 record on the season, while the Penguins are 28-14-11. While Pittsburgh is higher in the standings, the moneyline odds for this matchup are extremely close. Ottawa enters with odds of -105 on the moneyline while Pittsburgh is at -115.
When it comes to the puckline, the Senators have struggled. Ottawa is 23-31-0 against the spread, while Pittsburgh has seen much more success on the puckline with a 32-21-0 mark. In this matchup, Ottawa’s -1.5 is valued at +220, with Pittsburgh’s +1.5 at -275. The game total is set at 6.0, with the Over juiced to odds of -125 and the Under listed at +105. The Senators are 32-22-0 to the Over, while the Penguins are 28-23-2.
Sidney Crosby (+140) and Brady Tkachuk (+165) have the shortest odds to score a goal in this matchup. Crosby leads the Penguins with 27 goals and 58 points this season, while Tkachuk has 14 goals in 34 games. Sid the Kid also has 58 career points in 53 games against the Sens, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he increases that number tonight.
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators enter this matchup riding a three-game win streak. They still have a lot of work to do to get back into the playoff picture, but they are playing good hockey at this time.
The Senators rank ninth in the NHL in scoring (3.33 goals per game) and on the power play, with a conversion rate of 23.2 per cent. Those are effective numbers, but they are also giving up plenty of goals on a nightly basis. Ottawa ranks 26th in goals allowed (3.28 goals per game) and is 30th on the penalty kill, operating at a 73 per cent clip.
The Senators haven’t been dominant on the road, but they haven’t struggled mightily either. They enter this matchup with a 12-11-3 record away from Ottawa, but went just 2-3-1 in January.
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins enter this meeting riding a six-game win streak. They are averaging over 5.0 goals per game in that stretch, and goaltender Stuart Skinner has been spectacular. Skinner went 7-1-0 with a strong .910 save percentage and 2.13 goals-against average in January, which should give the Penguins plenty of confidence heading into this matchup.
On the season, the Penguins rank sixth in the NHL in scoring (3.40 goals per game), and their power play is the third-best mark in the NHL with a conversion rate of 27 per cent. They also rank ninth in goals allowed (2.87 goals per game) and fifth on the penalty kill, operating at a strong 83.4 per cent rate. Those numbers give the Penguins one of the most well-rounded teams in the NHL right now.
Pittsburgh is 13-7-7 on home ice this season, and has won three of its last four at PPG Paints Arena. The Penguins are well on their way to a somewhat surprising postseason berth, and a seventh consecutive win would keep the momentum going even more.
NHL Prediction: Who Will Win Senators vs. Penguins?
Both of these teams can score at a high rate, but Pittsburgh has the edge defensively and in net. Skinner is on an absolute tear, and the Penguins have a major advantage on the penalty kill.
Playing on home ice, I expect the Pens to extend their win streak to seven games with a 4-2 victory.
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