Ottawa Senators vs Edmonton Oilers Picks and Predictions October 21st 2025

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Edmonton Oilers vs Ottawa Senators NHL Preview

Edmonton Oilers star forward Leon Draisaitl was pointing the finger at himself after his team’s losing streak reached three games, stating, “It’s me who is certainly not feeling it right now.” Draisaitl will look to end the Oilers’ head-scratching skid when the team concludes a five-game road trip against the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday night. Despite scoring his team-high tying fourth goal of the season on Sunday, Draisaitl lamented missed opportunities, acknowledging that the team’s struggles start with the top players needing to “take a look in the mirror and figure something out to be better.”

The traditionally high-octane Oilers offense has mustered just seven goals during their three-game losing streak. Superstar captain Connor McDavid remains without a goal this season (though he has seven assists), and offensive defenseman Evan Bouchard has yet to score. Head coach Kris Knoblauch believes the problem is confidence and execution: “It’s just making the little, simple plays. If you’re trying to make the home run pass every time, you’ll probably have a lot of failure and it breaks down your game.” Edmonton may receive a boost as defenseman Jake Walman was activated from injured reserve on Monday.

The Senators, who host the final game of Edmonton’s trip, have been extremely generous, allowing a league-worst 30 goals in six games this season, continuing in a 5-4 loss to the New York Islanders on Saturday. Coach Travis Green was visibly frustrated, noting that their game “got too loose when we had the lead,” and that their defensive efforts “aren’t tight right now.” Forward Shane Pinto has been a bright spot, scoring a franchise-record seven goals in the first six games, but Tim Stutzle acknowledged the team’s lack of discipline: “We shoot ourselves in the foot every time… It’s on us. We’ve got to make smarter decisions.”

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Line Movement and Betting Odds

The Edmonton Oilers are favored on the moneyline at -133, despite their three-game losing streak, a reflection of their superior overall roster talent and potential for a breakout game. The Ottawa Senators are home underdogs at +111. The total for the game is set at 6.0 goals, with the Over favored (-106) over the Under (-115). This line is heavily influenced by Ottawa’s disastrous defense, which has propelled the Over to a 5-1 record in their games this season.

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Matchup Breakdown

The Oilers’ offense, despite the slump, still features major threats like Leon Draisaitl (4 goals) and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (4 goals, 2 assists). The team ranks 6th in power-play efficiency and 10th in shots on goal, suggesting they are getting chances. Connor McDavid’s seven assists, despite zero goals, show he is still distributing the puck effectively. Goaltender Stuart Skinner (91 saves in four starts) will need to be sharp as the team finishes its taxing five-game road trip. The activation of defenseman Jake Walman from IR should provide stability to the blue line.

The Senators’ success lies in their forward depth, which ranks 7th in goals scored. Shane Pinto is red-hot with seven goals, and Tim Stutzle (2 goals, 2 assists) is contributing. However, their defense is historically bad, ranking 31st in the NHL with a 5.00 goals-against average and a dismal 60.87% penalty kill efficiency. Goalie Linus Ullmark (112 saves in five games) and the team are struggling to find a consistent defensive rhythm, with Stutzle noting they keep “doing small turnovers” that lead to goals.

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Key Storylines

The McDavid/Draisaitl Slump vs. Senators Defense is the central conflict. The Oilers’ superstars are desperate to break out of their funk against a defense that leads the NHL in goals allowed (5.00 GAA). This is the perfect statistical storm for Edmonton’s offense to explode and end its losing streak.

The Senators’ Defensive Discipline is highly questionable. Coach Travis Green is openly critical of his team’s “loose” play and “cheating for offense.” Until Ottawa can show consistency and eliminate the sloppy turnovers that are causing goals, they are a defensive liability, especially against an elite team like Edmonton.

The Power Play Battle could decide the game. Ottawa ranks 7th in the NHL on the power play, while Edmonton, despite its 18th rank, possesses two of the world’s most dangerous power-play threats in McDavid and Draisaitl. Given Ottawa’s league-worst penalty kill, staying out of the box will be paramount for the Senators.

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Prediction

This game sets up as the ultimate “get right” spot for the struggling Edmonton Oilers. Facing the most porous defense in the NHL at the end of a long trip is the perfect antidote to their offensive woes. While Shane Pinto is a threat, the combined pressure of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, motivated by their own self-criticism, should be enough to finally break through Ottawa’s chaotic defensive structure. Expect a high-scoring affair where Edmonton’s elite talent finds its rhythm.

  • Projected Score: Edmonton Oilers 4, Ottawa Senators 3
  • Best Bet: Over 6.0 (-106)
  • Secondary Lean: Oilers MoneyLine -133

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