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Game Preview Ottawa Senators @ Boston Bruins
The Ottawa Senators head to TD Garden for a tough road test against the Boston Bruins on December 21. This Atlantic Division clash features a rising young Senators squad trying to make up ground in the standings against one of the most structured and defensively sound teams in the league.
Ottawa brings speed and offensive upside to the table but continues to struggle with consistency, particularly on the defensive end. Boston, on the other hand, remains a dominant force on home ice, anchored by elite goaltending and an experienced leadership core that thrives in high-leverage games.
These teams split their first two meetings earlier this season, both decided by a single goal. Expect another tight-checking, physical contest as the Senators look to break through against one of the NHL’s top defensive units.
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Odds and Key Information
Boston opened as a -185 home favorite while Ottawa sits in the +155 range. The total is set at 6.0 goals, reflecting both teams’ recent scoring trends. Boston’s home dominance and Ottawa’s road woes have influenced early line movement.
Check the latest betting lines and market trends on the NHL odds page for up-to-date information.
Ottawa Senators Outlook
The Senators enter this matchup looking to build some momentum after an up-and-down season. They boast a talented core led by Tim Stützle, Brady Tkachuk, and Drake Batherson, and their power play has hovered near the league average with flashes of explosiveness.
However, Ottawa remains one of the NHL’s least disciplined teams. They lead the league in penalty minutes per game, and their penalty kill has been unable to bail them out, ranking near the bottom five. On the road, the Senators are just 4-8-1 and have given up an average of 3.7 goals per game.
Defensive breakdowns and high-danger scoring chances against continue to plague the team. Goaltender Joonas Korpisalo has shown stretches of quality play but has not provided consistent stability.
Find out how Ottawa’s long-term potential stacks up in the NHL Atlantic Division Odds Predictions.
Boston Bruins Outlook
The Bruins remain a benchmark franchise in the NHL. Despite the retirement of key veterans, Boston’s defensive structure and elite goaltending have kept them at or near the top of the standings all season.
Led by Charlie McAvoy and David Pastrnak, the Bruins excel at shutting down rush chances and dominating time on attack. Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark form the league’s best goaltending tandem, combining for a sub-2.50 goals-against average.
Boston ranks top five in penalty kill and shots allowed, and they’ve held opponents to two goals or fewer in eight of their last ten home games. Their ability to limit turnovers and generate high-percentage shots gives them the edge in tight games.
You can track Boston’s playoff trajectory in the Stanley Cup Odds Predictions blog.
Key Matchup
This game could be decided by Ottawa’s young offensive core facing off against Boston’s elite defensive pairings. Tim Stützle and Brady Tkachuk are dangerous off the rush, but the Bruins are one of the best teams in the league at breaking up transition plays and collapsing the slot.
Boston’s defense rarely allows clean zone entries and thrives on pushing attackers to the perimeter. Ottawa must generate screens, rebounds, and second-chance opportunities to challenge the Bruins’ goaltending.
For more on how defensive styles impact betting angles, visit the Concise Guide to Hockey Betting.
Betting Trends
The Senators are 2-7 in their last nine road games and have hit the over in six of their last eight overall. Their penalty kill has allowed multiple power-play goals in three of their last five losses.
The Bruins are 8-2 in their last ten games at TD Garden and 6-1 in their last seven meetings with Ottawa. The under has hit in four of the last five matchups between these teams.
Learn how to bet with trends in the Alternate Total Points strategy guide.
Predictions
Boston’s structure, goaltending, and penalty kill all give them significant edges in this matchup. Ottawa has the talent to keep things competitive, especially at 5-on-5, but their inability to stay out of the penalty box could prove costly against a disciplined Bruins team.
Look for the Bruins to dominate faceoffs, control the neutral zone, and wear Ottawa down over the final 40 minutes. The Senators will need early goals to apply pressure, but Boston rarely trails at home and excels at protecting leads.
Final score prediction: Boston Bruins 4, Ottawa Senators 2
Best bet: Bruins -1.5
Total lean: Under 6.0
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