Montreal Canadiens vs. Ottawa Senators Prediction, NHL Odds
With Tuesday’s 4-1 victory over Detroit, the Canadiens extended their sensational late-season win streak to six games, and now trail Ottawa by just three points in the battle for the top wild card. The Senators return home in the wake of Tuesday’s 5-2 loss in Columbus but had already clinched a playoff berth while during a preceding three-game home win streak remain mathematically in reach of the Florida Panthers in the battle for third place in the Atlantic Division.
The Senators get the nod on the Friday NHL odds as -145 favourites. The Canadiens trail as +120 underdogs and the total I pegged at 5.5.
Canadiens vs. Senators NHL Betting Odds
The Canadiens have snapped a nine-game head-to-head losing streak by claiming the win in each of their three previous meetings with the Senators this season including a decisive 5-2 victory in Ottawa on February 22. The Habs have claimed victory by multi-goal margins in each of this season’s wins over Ottawa, averaging five goals per game after potting just 2.44 goals per game during their nine-game slide versus the Sens. The Canadiens attack has seized opportunities during the club’s 6-0-0 run but it has been steady defence and great goaltending that has made the difference, with Montreal allowing just 1.50 goals per game during their current surge. Montreal has also tallied a pair of road wins during this streak, halting a dismal 1-4-3 run away from Bell Centre that threatened their playoff chances. While the Sens disappointed in this week’s visit to Columbus, they have been red hot at home, allowing just one total goal while recording wins over Tampa Bay, Florida, and Columbus, and have now seen the UNDER go 4-1-1 in six home date.
Montreal Canadiens
Samuel Montembeault once again stole the show for the Canadiens in Tuesday’s win over the Blue Jackets, turning aside 35 of 36 shots, and has now given up just eight total goals while earning the win in five straight shots. The veteran netminder also backstopped the Habs to each of their wins over Ottawa this season but has failed to post wins in consecutive road starts since mid-February. Montembeault’s steady performance has emboldened the Habs’ attack, with Nick Suzuki leading the charge. The Canadiens captain has scored six goals and added six assists during a six-game points streak, and has picked up one goal and three helpers versus Ottawa this season. Brendan Gallagher has also clutch contributor. Now enjoying his first 20-goal season in five years, Gallagher has potted six goals and tallied seven helpers over the past 12 games and has scored twice and set up three goals in his past two appearances against Ottawa. Canadiens fans will have to wait a little longer for the highly anticipated debut of prized rookie Ivan Demidov, who is not expected to suit up before Monday’s date with Chicago.
Ottawa Senators
The Senators took a huge step back on Tuesday, falling behind early and never really recovering in a decisive 5-2 loss in Columbus. Bur Ottawa’s home win streak has been fueled by fast starts, with the Sens scoring six of their nine total goals in the first 25 minutes of action, leaving NHL betting fans which version of this team will show up on Friday. Sidelined by an upper body injury since March 30, Brady Tkachuk is reportedly set to start skating, but the Senators captain remains doubtful to see action on Saturday. With top goal scorer sidelined, the Senators have seen the supporting cast pick up the slack. Rearguard Thomas Chabot has picked up one goal and four assists during a three-game points streak and has tallied eight points in his past 11 home appearances. However, Tim Stutzle remains in a funk. Stutzle leads the club with 72 points but has recorded just two points in nine games and just one point in five home appearances.
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