NHL Odds, Preview, Expert Prediction: Senators vs. Canadiens (January 31)

Senators vs. Canadiens Odds

After a convincing shutout win, the Ottawa Senators head to Montreal to take on the Canadiens for the second time in as many games.

The Sens have played some decent hockey as of late, winning three in a row and going 5-5 in their last 10.

Montreal hasn’t had as much luck as its counterparts. Riddled with injuries, the Habs have gone 4-5-1 in their last 10, and they have lost four out of their last five. They also sit at the bottom of the Atlantic Division.

Here’s a look at our odds, as well as our prediction for the Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal Canadiens.

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Who Are the Ottawa Senators?

The Senators are an anomaly this year to me. They place toward the bottom of the Atlantic Division but have a solid core in place. But they’re also very top-heavy.

Captain Brady Tkachuk leads the squad in scoring, and veteran Claude Giroux has been a great pickup. Behind them, Tim Stutzle, Alex Debrincat and Drake Batherson have played exceptionally, but they haven't got much outside of those five.

Even though the Senators don’t shine in the standings, they have a fairly decent even-strength game. They place 18th in expected goals with a 51.39 xGF% and average a little more than 10 high-danger chances.

Defensively, they’re really not terrible either. They’re about middle of the road, averaging 3.16 goals allowed, and 13th in expected goals allowed.

I think Ottawa would like to have better goaltending luck. Both Anton Forsberg and Cam Talbot have been inconsistent while splitting starts. Talbot’s been dealing with an injury, so expect Forsberg to take the crease. The Swedish netminder is playing to a +10.7 goals saved above expected (GSAx) and a .906 SV%.

Montreal Canadiens Low on Scoring Options

With Cole Caufield out for the rest of the season, the Habs are going to have a much harder time creating offense. Beyond Caufield’s injury, there are also six players who are out with injuries.

Captain Nick Suzuki and Kirby Dach will do their best to will their team to the end of the season. Behind Suzuki and Dach, it’s incredibly slim pickings as they don’t have anyone else scoring above 20 points.

Montreal has had a really tough year generating an even-strength attack. It’ll be even harder with Caufield out. The team ranks 28th with a 43.42 xGF% and generates only a bit more than eight high-danger chances per game.

On the defensive end, they’re also a mess, allowing 3.68 goals per game and the second most expected goals allowed.

Jake Allen has been on and off the IR, and Sam Montembeault may be taking sole possession of the No. 1 goalie in Montreal. However, it was announced that Allen will be starting tonight. The veteran is playing to a +0.9 GSAx and an .893 SV%.

Senators vs. Canadiens Pick

According to DraftKings, the Senators are a heavy favorite on the road, and I can see why.

The Canadiens haven’t had great luck as of late, and missing their top goalscorer for the rest of the season hurts bad. While I think there will be some motivation on Montreal’s side to correct its dreadful 5-0 loss, the Senators are just too hot right now as there’s still hope to make a playoff push.

Ottawa is a solid team that just hasn’t had the luck it's been looking for. Part of the issue is I’m not crazy about D.J. Smith as head coach because looking at this roster, you can imagine why this team should contend for a playoff spot.

The difference between the Sens and an injury-riddled Canadiens roster is pretty drastic. I can see Ottawa coming out on top in regulation, so I will be betting them on the 60-minute moneyline (three-way line).

Pick: Ottawa Senators 60 Minute Moneyline (-110 at DraftKings)