Ottawa Senators vs Montreal Canadiens: Senators Take On Canadiens for Second Game in a Row

• The Ottawa Senators are on a three-game winning streak.

• The Montreal Canadiens are 1-3-1 in their last five games.

• The Senators shut out the Canadiens 5-0 when they played on Saturday.

Ottawa Senators vs Montreal Canadiens Odds

Odds Taken from DraftKings Sportsbook.

Ottawa Senators vs Montreal Canadiens Predictions and Picks

Ottawa Senators beat Montreal Canadiens 4-3 

Montreal Canadiens cover 

Over 6.5 goals

Head-to-Head: Ottawa Senators vs Montreal Canadiens

Ottawa Senators vs Montreal Canadiens Predictions and Picks

The Ottawa Senators will travel east to face the Montreal Canadiens for the second time this season. These teams went up against each other on Saturday, and the Senators crushed the Canadiens 5-0. The score was tied at zero after the first period, but the Senators scored three times in the second period and two more times in the third period. Claude Giroux scored two goals, had one assist, and earned the game's first star.

Both of these teams are far out of the Playoff picture. The Senators are in seventh place in the Atlantic Division with 49 points. I do not expect them to make the Playoffs, but they are less than ten points out of the second Wild Card spot, so it is possible. The Canadiens are in a worse position than the Senators. Montreal is in eighth place in the Atlantic Division with 44 points. They are not mathematically eliminated from the Playoffs, but it is doubtful they will turn it around the All-Star break.

The Senators are having a disappointing season but have won their three previous games. Ottawa has an average offense but a subpar defense. They have five players with 40+ points, but their defense and goaltending have many more holes.

The Senators are led by Brady Tkachuk, Claude Giroux, Tim Stutzle, Drake Batherson, and Alex DeBrincat. Ottawa does not receive much offense outside of these five, but they are all having strong seasons and have at least 40 points each. 

Cam Talbot and Anton Forsberg make up the Senators’ goaltending duo. They perform at the same level and are not particularly impressive. If the Senators want to make the Playoffs, they may need to trade for a better netminder.

The Canadiens appear to be in a rebuild and lack the necessary pieces to be successful this season. Offensively, they are incredibly slow and score just over 2.5 goals per game. Defensively, they are horrendous and allow nearly 3.6 goals per game. This is simply not Montreal’s year.

The Canadiens only have a few solid players in Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Kirby Dach. Unfortunately, Caufield will miss this game. The other two will play and are productive players but would benefit greatly from being on a better team.

Jake Allen will get the start in the net for the Canadiens. He allows over 3.5 goals a game, so it is safe to say he is not a top-tier netminder. However, the Canadiens are not fighting for the Playoffs, so he works well in the net for them this season.

The Senators are on a three-game winning streak and destroyed the Canadiens in their previous game. This game will be a little more difficult, as the Senators will be on the road, but I expect them to win today. Bet on Ottawa.

Why Might the Ottawa Senators Win?

The Senators are the favorites but will only win if they draw penalties and slow down Nick Suzuki.

The Senators' offense is mediocre at best, but they have an excellent power-play unit. Ottawa converts 26.3% of their opportunities, the third-highest percentage in the league. This unit needs to get on the ice and score at least once this game.

Nick Suzuki is the most productive player on the Canadiens roster. The center leads his team in assists (22) and points (38). He will continue to carry much of Montreal’s offensive load this game, so the Senators must make him priority #1 and slow him down.

Why Might the Montreal Canadiens Win?

The Canadiens are the underdogs but can win if they overwhelm the Senators with shots and play tough defense.

The Canadiens have one of the worst offenses in the league. This is largely in part to them taking less than 28 shots a game. If any team averages less than 30 shots a game, they are not likely to average three or more goals a game. Montreal must ramp up their offense and shoot at least 32 times today. If they do, they might have a chance to win this game or send it overtime.

As I mentioned above, the Canadiens' defense is horrendous. However, they need to step up this game and play more to their potential. The Canadiens’ defensemen must do a better job of stifling the Senators’ offense.

Senators Key Players: (RW) Cluade Giroux

Claude Giroux is in the back half of his career but still performing at a high level. Giroux has 19 goals and 28 assists in 47 points. He is providing a lot of offense on a team that does not have a great offense. 

Giroux must continue to play efficient hockey in this game and cause problems for the Canadiens’ defensemen.

Canadiens Key Player: (RW) Josh Anderson

Josh Anderson is having a quiet season. The wingers only has 14 goals and three assists in 48 games. However, he may have an expanded role in this game, as the Canadiens will be without Cole Caufield. Anderson must embrace his role today and show the Canadiens that he can excel with more minutes on the ice.

How to Watch Ottawa Senators vs Montreal Canadiens

• What - Ottawa Senators vs Montreal Canadiens

• Where - Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, Ontario

• When - Tuesday, January 31, 7:00 PM EST

• How to Watch - NHLPP, ESPN+