Game Preview: New York Rangers @ Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators finally return to home ice for the first time since Nov. 15 as the Ottawa Senators host the New York Rangers on Thursday at Canadian Tire Centre. Ottawa finished its seven-game road trip at 4-3-0, capped by a 5-2 win in Montreal. The Rangers, meanwhile, continue their trend as one of the league’s strongest road teams, entering at 11-4-1 away from home while struggling significantly at Madison Square Garden. Oddsmakers opened Ottawa around -151 on the moneyline with a total of 5.5 as these teams meet for the first time this season. Bettors reviewing broader data across the league can compare this matchup using updated NHL odds and previews available throughout the hockey section.
From Puck Drop to Final Buzzer
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Odds and Key Information
The Senators opened -151 at home, supported by early market interest given their strong offensive ranking and return to a favorable environment. The Rangers sit +127 as underdogs but boast league-leading road wins, making them attractive to contrarian bettors. The total of 5.5 has seen early attention toward the over due to Ottawa’s scoring profile and the Rangers’ improved shot generation.
Rangers coach Mike Sullivan emphasized his team’s renewed commitment to creating offense through volume shooting after registering a season-high 41 shots in Tuesday’s overtime win against Dallas. Ottawa head coach Travis Green praised his club’s focus and execution on the road and their ability to close out tight games when needed.
New York Rangers Outlook
New York’s split between home and road performance remains one of the most dramatic in the NHL. The Rangers average 3.38 goals per game on the road, compared to only 1.67 at home. Their recent 3-2 overtime win over Dallas offered a template for sustained offensive pressure: rebound goals from Will Cuylle and Vladislav Gavrikov, driven by constant shot volume.
Artemi Panarin leads the team with 28 points, and Mika Zibanejad enters on a four-game point streak. The Rangers also lead the league with 728 hits, a physical edge that could wear down an Ottawa team already dealing with roster strain. Igor Shesterkin continues to provide high-end goaltending with a 2.45 GAA and .912 save percentage over 22 starts, keeping New York competitive even during scoring droughts.
Injuries to Adam Fox, Jonathan Quick, and others remain obstacles, but New York’s overall structural play and physicality make them a dangerous opponent. Updated player status is available via the Rangers’ injury-report link on their team hub.
Ottawa Senators Outlook
Ottawa returns home with momentum after a winning road trip, fueled by improved scoring balance and stabilizing defensive efforts. Brady Tkachuk’s first goal of the season on Tuesday highlighted his return to full involvement following thumb surgery. The Senators allow only 25.5 shots per game—one of the best marks in the NHL—but still rank near the bottom in goals allowed due to inconsistent goaltending and one of the league’s lowest penalty-kill percentages.
Tim Stützle leads Ottawa with 24 points, while Jake Sanderson continues a four-game point streak, offering dynamic puck movement from the back end. The Senators rank ninth in total goals (81), producing enough scoring to offset defensive shortcomings when needed. Linus Ullmark remains the primary option in net despite a 3.05 GAA and .876 save percentage; the Senators’ reliance on him reflects limited alternatives internally.
Ottawa’s physicality also stands out, ranking sixth in hits with 612. Their home-ice environment often enhances forecheck efficiency and neutral-zone disruption—areas that will be central against a Rangers team excelling in transition. Ottawa’s injury list, including Thomas Chabot, remains a concern, with updated statuses available on the team’s injury page.
Key Matchup Table
Key FactorAdvantageRoad ScoringRangersDefensive Shot SuppressionSenatorsGoaltending StabilityRangersSpecial Teams ImpactRangersForechecking PhysicalitySenators
Betting Trends
The Rangers are 12-10 against the puckline in all games and hold a 66.7% puckline record as underdogs. Their totals trends remain heavily under-focused, going 7-15 on the season. Ottawa enters 11-7 on totals overall and is 3-0 to the over in its last three games. The Senators continue to exceed expectations as underdogs but remain inconsistent as a favorite. For deeper comparisons of tonight’s board, bettors can reference updated NHL market data here:
NHL Scores & Odds.
The Lean
Ottawa’s combination of home-ice advantage and scoring depth makes them worthy favorites, especially with Stützle and Sanderson driving play in the offensive zone. Still, the Rangers’ road form and Shesterkin’s reliability present a compelling underdog case. Projection models lean toward Ottawa but anticipate a competitive contest with steady scoring opportunities.
Projected Score: Ottawa 4, New York 2
Best Bet: Ottawa Moneyline
Total Lean: Over 5.5
For expanded coverage and matchup breakdowns across Thursday’s action, readers can browse the NHL preview hub:
NHL Matchup Previews.
Why You Need Expert Picks
Games with contrasting styles—New York’s physicality and road surge versus Ottawa’s shot suppression and home scoring—often hinge on small edges that expert handicappers identify through advanced analytics and matchup modeling. The Handicappers Leaderboard in the NHL picks section highlights top-performing analysts who consistently read line movement, identify sharp-side indicators, and evaluate team-level efficiency trends.
Bettors seeking stronger predictive frameworks can access full projections and additional insights through the NHL picks center:
NHL Picks.
Projected Final Score: Ottawa 4, New York 2
Best Spread Pick: Ottawa ML
Total Lean: Over 5.5