Ottawa Senators vs Montréal Canadiens Picks and Predictions February 22nd 2025

Ottawa Senators vs Montréal Canadiens February 22nd 2025

The Canadiens and Senators are set to face off at 7:00 ET on ESPN+. The Senators will host the game at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON. The over/under for this game is set at 5.5 goals, and the Senators are favored by -1.5 against the Canadiens in a Atlantic division matchup.

Montreal vs. Ottawa Key Information

• Teams: Canadiens at Senators
• Where: Canadian Tire Centre Ottawa
• Date: Saturday, February 22nd
• Betting Odds OTT -170 | MON +145 O/U 5.5

The Canadiens Can Win If…

Following a 3-1 loss to the Penguins, the Canadiens are now 25-26-5 this season. Montreal’s defense struggled early, allowing a goal just 4:03 into the first period. The Canadiens were underdogs on the puck line, and the total for the game was set at 6.5 goals, but the combined score of 4 fell short of that mark.

Montreal didn’t score until the 3rd period, when Christian Dvorak found the net at 14:28. The Penguins later added an empty-net goal to seal the win. The Canadiens’ defense gave up 23 shots, while their offense managed 26 shots on goal.

Montreal’s offense struggled in their 3-1 loss to Pittsburgh, with Christian Dvorak scoring his first goal of the season at 14:28 in the third period. The Canadiens managed 26 shots on goal but were held scoreless until the final period.

Emil Heineman picked up his first assist of the season on Dvorak’s goal, while Juraj Slafkovsky added his seventh assist. The Canadiens had 20 giveaways in the game.

Montreal’s defense gave up the first two goals, one at 15:57 in the 1st period and another at 18:40 in the 2nd. They conceded a late empty-netter, leading to a 3-1 loss. Goalie Sam Montembeault made 21 saves with a 91.3% save percentage, and the defense added 4 takeaways and 28 hits.

• Montreal has put together a record of 0-3 in their last three games (regular season). In these contests, the team went just 0-3 against the spread, while going 2-1 on the over-under.
• Through their last ten regular season contests, Montreal has a record of 2-8. Their record against the puck line in this stretch is 2-8 to go along with an over-under mark of 4-5-1.

The Senators Can Win If…

The Senators improved to 29-23-4 with a 3-0 win over the Kraken. Ottawa covered the puck line as -1.5 goal favorites, and the total of 6.5 goals was never in reach, with the combined score of 3 falling well short.

All three of Ottawa’s goals came from different players, with Adam Gaudette opening the scoring at 5:28 in the first period. Brady Tkachuk added another in the second, and Tim Stützle sealed the victory with an empty-netter in the third.

Ottawa’s offense found the net three times in their 3-0 victory over Seattle, with Tim Stützle adding his 6th goal on an empty net. Brady Tkachuk also netted his 7th goal, while Adam Gaudette opened the scoring with his 7th of the season.

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 period.

Anton Forsberg was perfect in goal for the Senators, making 22 saves with a 100% save percentage. The defense also contributed 2 takeaways and 25 hits, helping Ottawa secure a 3-0 win over Seattle.

• The Senators have gone 0-3 over their last three regular season games. Their record against the puck line in this stretch is 1-2 to go along with an over-under mark of 3-0.
• Across Ottawa’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 5-5. Against the spread, Ottawa went 5-5 in these games and finished with an over-under mark of 6-4.

The Lean

When making a moneyline pick, my choice is the Canadiens to come out with a win against the Senators while playing on the road. Considering the moneyline odds at +145, I’m placing my bet on the Canadiens to win outright.

Our projections have the Canadiens pulling out a win as the underdog. But if you’re not as bullish as we are on the Canadiens, we’d recommend at least getting a bet down on them to 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.

Ottawa Aims to Build Momentum at Home

The Ottawa Senators return from the 4 Nations Face-Off break looking to end their three-game losing streak as they host the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night. Holding the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, the Senators aim to solidify their playoff position during a three-game homestand. With a 16-7-2 record on home ice, Ottawa will look to capitalize on familiar surroundings to reignite its winning form.

Forward Tim Stutzle, who leads the team with 39 assists and 56 points in 56 games, enters the game riding an eight-game point streak, tallying two goals and nine assists during that stretch. The German forward has used the practice week to refine his game, focusing on the details that could make a difference in the playoff push.

“Keep working on those little details, and I think (coach Travis Green) has done a great job with trying to help me get better every day,” Stutzle said. “For me, it’s been a pleasure to work with these guys and trying to make me better. I think that’s the biggest key for me, and I think if I can elevate my game, that’s going to help us win more games.”

Goaltender Linus Ullmark, who made a single appearance for Sweden during the 4 Nations Face-Off, will look to help the Senators rebound defensively. Ullmark has posted a 12-9-2 record with a .915 save percentage and a 2.49 goals-against average (GAA) in 25 games this season. In six career appearances against the Canadiens, he is 3-2-0 with an .890 save percentage and a 2.86 GAA.

Montreal Looks to Regain Defensive Form

The Montreal Canadiens also return from the break on a three-game skid and have won just two of their last 10 games (2-7-1). Sitting 13th in the Eastern Conference standings with a 12-14-1 record on the road, Montreal is focused on tightening its defensive play after conceding 15 goals during its recent losses.

Head coach Martin St. Louis has emphasized defensive structure during recent practices, urging his players to maintain discipline and focus. Defenseman Arber Xhekaj stressed the importance of cohesive team play, noting that defensive lapses can disrupt the entire unit.

“We’ve just got to be sharp. Every guy has got to be on. It’s a five-man unit out there,” Xhekaj said. “If one guy is losing their guy or off track, it screws up the whole thing. We’ve got to be mentally sharp and just ready.”

Montreal’s offense is led by captain Nick Suzuki, who has recorded a team-high 52 points in 56 games, while Cole Caufield leads the Canadiens with 26 goals. Despite their scoring abilities, the Canadiens need more consistency in both zones to return to winning ways.

Goaltending Key for Both Teams

Goaltending will be crucial in Saturday’s matchup. For Montreal, Jakub Dobes is looking to bounce back after allowing three goals on eight shots before being replaced by Sam Montembeault in the Canadiens’ 5-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning before the break. Dobes has posted a 5-2-1 record with a .908 save percentage and a 2.71 GAA in nine starts this season.

Montembeault, who served as the third-string goaltender for Team Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off, returns to Montreal with an 18-21-3 record in 42 games. His experience on the international stage could provide a confidence boost as the Canadiens seek to shore up their defense.

Stay Ahead with Detailed NHL Betting Picks, Trends, and Strategic Insights for Game Day Success

Season Series and Playoff Implications

Saturday’s game marks the second of four meetings between the teams this season. The Canadiens won the first matchup 4-1 in Montreal on Oct. 12. The teams will meet again on March 18 in Montreal before concluding the season series on April 11 in Ottawa.

With both teams looking to snap their losing streaks and gain momentum after the break, expect an intense and physical matchup as the Senators aim to solidify their playoff position while the Canadiens look to climb back into the postseason picture. The performance of key players like Stutzle, Suzuki, and Caufield, along with the goaltenders’ ability to stand tall under pressure, could determine the outcome of this pivotal Eastern Conference clash.