Montréal Canadiens vs Ottawa Senators Picks and Predictions March 18th 2025

Montréal Canadiens vs Ottawa Senators March 18th 2025

Don’t miss out on the NHL showdown between the Senators and Canadiens. The game is starting at 7:00 ET on ESPN+, and it’s hosted by the Canadiens at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC. Get ready to place your bets! The Senators come into this Atlantic division matchup as the -1.5 goal favorite to pick up the win. Currently, the over/under for the game is at 5.5 goals.

Ottawa vs. Montreal Key Information

• Teams: Senators at Canadiens
• Where: Bell Centre Montreal
• Date: Tuesday, March 18th
• Betting Odds OTT -133 | MON +113 O/U 5.5

The Senators Can Win If…

With a 3-0 win over the Kraken, the Senators improved to 36-25-5. Ottawa covered the puck line as -1.5 goal favorites, and the total line of 6.5 goals was never in danger, as the game’s 3 goals fell well short of that mark.

All three of Ottawa’s goals came from different players, with Adam Gaudette opening the scoring at 5:28 in the first period. The Senators’ defense also held strong, limiting Seattle to 22 shots on goal.

Ottawa’s offense finished with three goals in their 3-0 win over Seattle. Adam Gaudette opened the scoring with his 7th goal of the season, while Brady Tkachuk added his 7th as well. Tim Stützle netted his 6th goal on an empty net with 2:14 remaining in the game.

The Senators took 23 shots on goal and recorded 11 giveaways. They scored once in each period, with Gaudette’s goal coming at 14:32 in the first, Tkachuk’s at 8:49 in the second, and Stützle’s empty-netter at 17:46 in the third.

Defensively, the Senators were rock solid, allowing just 22 shots on goal, all of which were turned away by Anton Forsberg, who finished with a 100% save percentage. Ottawa’s defense also recorded 2 takeaways, 25 hits, and 14 blocks.

• Through their last three games, the Senators have a record of 3-0. Their strong play has also resulted in an puck line mark of 3-0 (last 3). They had an over/under mark of 2-0-1 in those same games.
• Over their last ten regular season games, the Senators have gone 7-3 straight up. Against the spread, Ottawa went 5-5 in these games and finished with an over-under mark of 7-2-1.

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The Canadiens Can Win If…

Montreal’s 3-1 loss to the Penguins dropped their record to 32-27-7. The Canadiens entered the game as underdogs on the puck line, and the total was set at 6.5 goals, but the combined score of 4 fell short of that mark.

All of Pittsburgh’s goals came before Montreal got on the board. Christian Dvorak scored the Canadiens’ lone goal at 14:28 in the third period, cutting the deficit to 2-1. The Penguins added an empty-net goal at 19:15 to seal the win.

Montreal’s offense was limited to a single goal in their 3-1 loss to Pittsburgh. Christian Dvorak scored his first goal of the season, with Emil Heineman picking up his first assist and Juraj Slafkovsky adding his seventh. The Canadiens took 26 shots on goal but were held scoreless until the third period.

Montreal had 20 giveaways in the game and failed to convert on the power play. Dvorak’s goal came 5:32 into the third period, cutting the Penguins’ lead to 2-1 before an empty-net goal sealed the game for Pittsburgh.

Montreal’s defense gave up the first two goals of the game, one at 15:57 in the first period and another at 18:40 in the second. They also allowed an empty-netter with 45 seconds left in the third. Sam Montembeault made 21 saves with a 91.3% save percentage. Defensively, the Canadiens recorded 4 takeaways and 28 hits.

• The Canadiens have posted a 2-1 record in their previous three games. In these games, they have a 3-0 record vs the puck line and an over-under mark of 2-1.
• Through their last ten regular season contests, Montreal has a record of 7-3. In these contests, the team went just 8-2 against the spread, while going 5-5 on the over-under.

The Lean

For a moneyline pick, I’m taking the Senators to pick up on a win over the Canadiens and the road. With the moneyline sitting at -133, I’ll be locking in a bet on the Senators straight-up.

If you’re looking for my recommendation on the puck line, I suggest taking the Canadiens to cover. Even if the Senators manage to win outright, this game is expected to remain competitive, and the Canadiens should cover the puck line.

If you’re looking at the over/under line set at 5.5 goals, our prediction is that this game will exceed that mark, and we strongly advise placing a bet on the over.

Senators and Canadiens Collide in Pivotal Playoff Chase Matchup

For the first time in eight years, the Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens could both find themselves in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. But first, they have business to settle in their final regular-season meeting Tuesday night in Montreal, as each team continues its postseason push.

The Senators (36-25-5, 77 points) are riding a six-game winning streak and currently hold the top Eastern Conference wild-card spot. The Canadiens (32-27-7, 71 points) are just one point outside of the playoff picture and have been surging with a 7-1-2 run that began with a victory over Ottawa.

With momentum on both sides, this clash between Canadian rivals carries significant playoff implications.

Senators Peaking at the Right Time

After closing February on a five-game skid, Ottawa has flipped the script in March with a 7-0-1 record, outscoring opponents 34-22 in that span. The team’s offensive depth and defensive improvements have sparked the turnaround, and they’ve now totaled 15 goals in their last three games.

Most recently, Ottawa rallied past Toronto 4-2 on Saturday, with second-period goals from David Perron and Claude Giroux erasing an early deficit.

“We’re finding different ways to win,” defenseman Jake Sanderson said after the victory. “We can play a skill game, we can play a tough game. We’re ready for anything.”

A win Tuesday would give Ottawa its first seven-game winning streak since 2015, marking a defining moment for a franchise trying to end a seven-year playoff drought.

Linus Ullmark Leading the Way in Net

Goaltender Linus Ullmark has been a major reason for the Senators’ surge. He is 6-0-1 this month, providing stability between the pipes. However, he has struggled against Montreal this season, allowing nine goals on 41 shots in two losses.

That could open the door for Anton Forsberg, who has been reliable as well, boasting a 2.16 goals-against average and a .923 save percentage in his last seven starts.

Tim Stützle Heating Up

Ottawa’s offensive engine has been Tim Stützle, who has been on fire with five goals and 18 assists in his last 18 games. Against Montreal, he has been particularly lethal, recording five goals and six assists in his last six matchups with the Canadiens.

Montreal Thrives on Home Ice

While the Senators are rolling, Montreal has had their number this season, winning both prior meetings by a combined 9-3 margin. The Canadiens are also riding a four-game home winning streak and are looking to complete a sweep of Ottawa for the first time since 2015-16.

Their latest win was an impressive 3-1 triumph over the Florida Panthers on Saturday, where they controlled the game from start to finish.

“From start to finish, I think it was one of the best games we’ve played since I got here,” said head coach Martin St. Louis.

That level of play will be crucial as Montreal tries to further solidify itself in the playoff race.

Cole Caufield Leading Montreal’s Charge

The Canadiens’ offense has been powered by Cole Caufield, who has been on a tear with seven goals and five assists in his last 10 games. He has also been a nightmare for Ottawa, tallying 10 goals in 12 career games against the Senators.

Meanwhile, Juraj Slafkovsky has been making a late-season impact, posting six points in his last three games, including a goal and two assists against Ottawa this season.

Sam Montembeault’s Stellar Play in Net

While Ottawa has been leaning on Ullmark, Montreal’s Sam Montembeault has been equally impressive. During his 6-1-1 stretch, he owns a 1.93 GAA and a .927 save percentage. Against the Senators, he has been even better, allowing just three goals on 52 shots in two meetings this season.

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Playoff Implications and Final Thoughts

With both teams pushing for the postseason, Tuesday’s game could have a major impact on the Eastern Conference standings.

A win for Ottawa would extend their streak to seven games and strengthen their hold on a playoff spot.

A victory for Montreal would pull them even closer to the final wild-card position while giving them a confidence-boosting season sweep over their Canadian rivals.

With Stützle and Caufield leading the offenses, Ullmark and Montembeault standing tall in net, and both teams playing their best hockey of the season, expect a high-intensity showdown that could shape the playoff picture for both franchises.