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The Detroit Red Wings travel to the Canadian Tire Centre on Thursday night to face the Ottawa Senators in a game with massive Atlantic Division implications. Detroit enters this contest with a 33-19-6 record, currently tied for second in the division with Montreal but having played one additional game. Ottawa sits at 28-22-7 and is desperately chasing a wild card spot, trailing the Bruins by six points as the final sprint of the regular season begins. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM on ESPN+ in what should be a high energy environment following the Olympic break.
The Senators were playing their best hockey before the hiatus, winning five of their last six games, while Detroit stumbled by losing four of their previous five. However, the Red Wings have dominated the head to head matchups this season, winning both prior meetings in January. Ottawa has the benefit of home ice, where they have been much more consistent, but they are facing a Detroit squad that is 10-4-2 within the division. This 7:00 PM start is the first leg of a tough stretch for Ottawa, who will immediately head out on a five game road trip through Canada and the Western United States after this game.
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Detroit Red Wings vs Ottawa Senators Odds
The betting markets currently have the home team as a moderate favorite, though you should monitor the latest NHL odds as game time approaches to see if there is any movement based on morning skate reports. These lines represent the current prices for the moneyline, puck line, and total.
| Team | Moneyline | Puck Line | Total |
| Detroit Red Wings | +118 | +1.5 (-205) | O 6.0 (-111) |
| Ottawa Senators | -139 | -1.5 (+170) | U 6.0 (-111) |
Detroit Red Wings Betting Form
Detroit had a difficult time finding the back of the net before the break, managing just seven goals over their final five games. I think the rest was probably necessary for a veteran heavy group that appeared to be running out of gas. Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider are back from the Olympics and should provide an immediate spark, especially on a power play that ranks 6th in the league with 42 goals. Alex DeBrincat leads the way with 30 goals, and his history of scoring against the Senators makes him a focal point for any offensive props.
The goaltending situation for the Wings is stabilized by John Gibson, who has historically played well against Ottawa with a .926 save percentage in 11 career meetings. Detroit covers the puck line nearly 61% of the time as an underdog, so they are rarely an easy out even when the moneyline doesn’t favor them. Regarding the blue line depth, the Detroit Red Wings injury report indicates Simon Edvinsson remains out with a lower body injury. For more on their historical trends, you can look at the Detroit Red Wings stats and results.
Ottawa Senators Betting Form
Ottawa returns home with a lot of confidence after winning four of their last five. The focus is squarely on Brady Tkachuk, who is coming back from an Olympic gold medal run with the United States. He and Tim Stützle lead an offense that ranks 11th in the league in goals and 5th in assists. The Senators’ power play is actually ranked one spot higher than Detroit’s, sitting at 5th overall, which suggests that discipline will be the deciding factor in this matchup.
In net, Linus Ullmark has been a thorn in Detroit’s side throughout his career, posting a 9-2-2 record against them. He was perfect just before the break, stopping 40 of 43 shots in his last two starts. Perhaps the most impressive stat for Ottawa lately is their defensive improvement; they have allowed only 11 goals over their last six games. The Ottawa Senators injury report lists David Perron as out with a hernia, which takes a bit of veteran grit out of their bottom six. You can dig into their situational records on the Ottawa Senators schedule and stats page.
Detroit Red Wings vs Ottawa Senators Matchup Breakdown
This game features two of the better power play units in the league, so expect both teams to be cautious with their stick checks. Ottawa’s ability to create chances through their 5th ranked assist volume is a major hurdle for a Detroit defense that can sometimes get caught puck watching. If you are looking for advanced NHL betting strategies, pay close attention to the shots on goal battle in the first period, as both teams are coming off a long layoff and defensive structure is usually the first thing to slip.
Detroit has a clear advantage in division play this year, but Ottawa’s recent surge is hard to ignore. The Red Wings’ offensive struggles before the break were significant, and unless Raymond or Larkin can take over early, they might find themselves chasing the game. For those looking at the big picture, this game is a prime example of how wild card races shift the value in Stanley Cup betting markets during the spring.
The goaltending matchup between Gibson and Ullmark is actually quite even when you look at their career numbers against these specific opponents. I expect a relatively tight game through the first two periods before the offensive talent on both sides starts to open things up.
Detroit Red Wings vs Ottawa Senators Predictions and Best Bets
Ottawa is the favorite at -139, and while Detroit has won the previous two meetings this season, I think the Senators have the edge here. Ullmark’s dominance over Detroit and the emotional boost of Tkachuk returning as a gold medalist should propel them to a win. My model projects a 4-3 score in favor of Ottawa. The Senators have hit the over in nearly 60% of their games this year, and despite Detroit’s recent under trend, the fresh legs and top tier power plays point toward a high scoring affair.
The moneyline is the most direct way to play this, but if you are looking for a bigger payout, the over 6.0 at -111 is very attractive. Both teams are in the top six for power play efficiency, and neither team is particularly known for a lockdown defensive style when playing high tempo divisional games. I think Ottawa gets the job done in front of their home fans to kick off their playoff push.
Best Bet: Ottawa Senators moneyline (-139).
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NHL Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
Winning at NHL betting requires staying on top of daily goalie changes and injury news. You can find today’s NHL picks from pros who have been tracking these Atlantic Division trends all season. Our top sports handicappers provide a range of perspectives, from data driven models to situational analysis.
By following the handicapper leaderboard, you can see who has been the most profitable during the first half of the season. If you want a more streamlined experience, you can buy expert picks to get the highest confidence plays delivered straight to you. For a look at other matchups on the slate, be sure to browse our full list of NHL game previews.
