Ottawa Senators vs Montréal Canadiens Picks and Predictions April 11th 2025

Ottawa Senators vs Montréal Canadiens April 11th 2025

Looking to win big? The Canadiens and Senators face off at 7:00 ET on ESPN+. The Senators are hosting the game at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON. The over/under goal line for this matchup is currently at 5.5 goals, and the Senators are favored by -1.5 vs. the Canadiens.

Montreal vs. Ottawa Key Information

• Teams: Canadiens at Senators
• Where: Canadian Tire Centre Ottawa
• Date: Friday, April 11th
• Betting Odds OTT -173 | MON +144 O/U 5.5

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The Canadiens Can Win If…

Montreal dropped to 39-30-9 with a 3-1 road loss to the Penguins. The Canadiens were underdogs on the puck line, and the total was set at 6.5 goals, but the game’s combined 4 goals fell short of that mark.

All of Pittsburgh’s goals came before Montreal got on the board. Christian Dvorak scored for the Canadiens at 14:28 in the third period, cutting the deficit to 2-1, but the Penguins added an empty-netter to seal the win.

Montreal’s offense was held in check in their 3-1 loss to Pittsburgh. Christian Dvorak netted his first goal of the season at 14:28 in the third period, with Emil Heineman picking up his first assist and Juraj Slafkovsky adding his seventh. The Canadiens fired 26 shots on goal but couldn’t find the net until the third period.

Montreal struggled with giveaways, committing 20 in the game. They were unable to capitalize on any power play opportunities and went scoreless in the first two periods before Dvorak’s goal.

Montreal’s defense gave up the first two goals in their previous game, both coming from Sidney Crosby. The first was at 15:57 in the first period, and the second was a power-play goal at 18:40 in the second. After the Canadiens made it 2-1 in the third, they conceded an empty-netter with 45 seconds left, resulting in a 3-1 loss. Goalie Sam Montembeault made 21 saves with a 91.3% save percentage, while the defense recorded 4 takeaways and 28 hits.

• Montreal has put together a record of 3-0 over their past three games. This includes going 1-2 vs. the puck line and posting an over-under mark of 0-3.
• Over their last ten regular season games, the Canadiens have gone 6-4 straight up. Against the spread, Montreal went 5-5 in these games and finished with an over-under mark of 4-6.

The Senators Can Win If…

With a 3-0 win over the Kraken, the Senators improved to 42-30-6. Ottawa, favored on the puck line, covered the -1.5 goal spread. The total was set at 6.5 goals, but the combined score of 3 fell well short.

All three of Ottawa’s goals came from different players. Adam Gaudette started the scoring at 14:32 in the first period, and the Senators added another goal in the second before sealing the win with an empty-netter in the third.

Ottawa’s offense put up 3 goals in their 3-0 win over Seattle, with Tim Stützle netting his 6th of the season on an empty net. Brady Tkachuk followed with his 7th goal, while Adam Gaudette opened the scoring with his 7th as well.

The Senators fired 23 shots on goal and recorded 11 giveaways. None of their goals came on the power play, and they were held scoreless until Gaudette’s goal at 14:32 in the 1st period.

The Senators’ defense was rock solid, allowing just 22 shots on goal from the Kraken. Anton Forsberg stopped them all, posting a 100% save percentage. Ottawa’s defense also added 2 takeaways, 25 hits, and 14 blocks.

• Ottawa has put together a record of 2-1 over their past three games. In terms of betting, the team went 2-1 puck line in these matchups. Their over/under record in these matchups is 1-2.
• Ottawa has put together a record of 6-4 in their last ten games (regular season). Across these games, their puck line record was just 4-6, while posting an over-under record of 3-7.

The Lean

For those seeking a straight moneyline bet, the Senators are the top choice. Nonetheless, with a payout of -173, you might want to use this bet as a part of a parlay to get better odds.

If you’re looking for a puck line bet, I’d suggest going with the Canadiens to cover. Even in the event of a Senators victory, this game is expected to be closely fought, and the Canadiens should cover the puck line.

With an over/under line sitting at 5.5 goals, we like this game to surpass that mark and recommend getting a bet down on the over.

Expert Hockey Handicappers

As the NHL regular season approaches its final stretch, the playoff race in the Eastern Conference is heating up—and the drama couldn’t be more intense. The Ottawa Senators have secured their place in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, while the Montreal Canadiens, who helped their rivals clinch, are now eyeing a postseason berth themselves.

Canadiens Riding High on NHL’s Longest Win Streak

Montreal has surged at just the right time. A six-game winning streak, the best current run in the NHL, has vaulted the Canadiens (39-30-9, 87 points) into the second wild-card position. With four games left, the team is just three points behind Ottawa (42-30-6, 90 points), who hold the top wild-card spot.

A playoff berth could be secured as early as Friday, depending on multiple scenarios—though for Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis, the mission is broader.

“Playing well down the stretch, clinching a playoff spot, is important,” St. Louis emphasized. “If we’re able to jump Ottawa, great. But I think our focus is to keep going forward.”

This mindset reflects a strategic long-term vision—building consistency, not just chasing a short-term goal.

Young Stars Leading Montreal’s Revival

A key ingredient in Montreal’s resurgence is its dynamic young core, performing at elite levels under pressure:

• Nick Suzuki (25) is in peak form, posting 17 points in the last 12 games. With 86 points overall, he leads the team and shares the assist lead (58) with rookie defenseman Lane Hutson (21).
• Cole Caufield (24) continues to deliver as Montreal’s sniper, tallying 37 goals, the most on the roster.
• Between the pipes, Sam Montembeault is proving to be clutch, winning five straight starts and allowing two goals or fewer in each contest.

This trio is not just playing well—they’re setting the tone for a team that hasn’t made the playoffs since their Cinderella run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2021.

Handicappers Leaderboard

Senators Clinch, But Stay Hungry

While the Canadiens fight for their playoff lives, the Senators earned their postseason ticket on Tuesday—ironically, thanks to Montreal’s 4-1 win over Detroit. That same night, Ottawa dropped a 5-2 contest against Columbus, ending a three-game win streak.

Head coach Travis Green acknowledged the significance of the moment but didn’t dwell on it.

“I gave the guys 30 seconds to celebrate,” he joked. “Now it’s about getting our game ready for the playoffs. Points still matter—we want to finish as high as we can.”

The Senators’ final four games—all at home—will determine whether they maintain their wild-card edge or drop below Montreal.

Ottawa Banking on Veteran Returns and Depth

Key veterans are stepping up for Ottawa:

• Defenseman Thomas Chabot is on a roll with a three-game point streak, including a goal and three assists over his last two appearances.
• Goaltender Linus Ullmark is finding his groove, winning five of his last six games and earning his fourth shutout of the season last Sunday.

The return of Nick Cousins, sidelined since January with a knee injury, could provide an extra spark. Signed in the offseason after winning a Stanley Cup with Florida, Cousins’ playoff experience may prove invaluable.

Playoff Seeding at Stake

With both teams boasting firepower and momentum, Friday’s showdown in Ottawa isn’t just another game—it’s a potential playoff preview and a battle for seeding supremacy.

If Montreal continues its winning ways and leapfrogs Ottawa, it could shift the entire wild-card bracket. And with each team having just four games remaining, every shift, save, and shot matters more than ever.

Looking Ahead: Stakes and Scenarios

For Montreal:

• Can clinch a playoff berth Friday with favorable outcomes.
• Could potentially pass Ottawa and secure the top wild-card seed.

For Ottawa:

• Seeding is still in play—finishing strong ensures a more favorable playoff matchup.
• Home-ice advantage for the final stretch offers a key opportunity.

Conclusion: A Playoff Race to Remember

This final week of NHL regular-season play has all the ingredients of high-stakes hockey—rising stars, veteran returns, playoff positioning, and rivalry games. Whether the Canadiens complete their late-season surge or the Senators hold firm, one thing is certain: the Eastern Conference wild-card battle is must-watch hockey.