Detroit Red Wings vs Ottawa Senators Prediction, 1/5/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Detroit Red Wings vs Ottawa Senators

Date: Monday, January 5, 2026

Location: Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON

TV: TSN5

Odds/Point Spread: Red Wings (-152) Senators (+126)

Canadian Tire Centre is where the Ottawa Senators (18-15-5) will take on the Detroit Red Wings (24-14-3) on Monday. The moneyline on this matchup has Detroit at -152 and Ottawa is opening at +126. The over/under is set at 6.

The Detroit Red Wings were on the winning side of the scoreboard with a 2-1 win over the Jets in their previous contest . Detroit accumulated 6 penalty minutes in this contest. The Red Wings had a below average offensive outing in this win. They also had 3 opportunities with more players on the ice and notched 1 goal. For the game, they were able to notch a goal on 2 of the 19 shots they looked to score on.

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With regard to their scoring capabilities, the Detroit Red Wings have earned 125 goals (12th in pro hockey) for the season and have allowed 128. For the season, the have a total of 51 points and their points percentage is sitting at .622. Detroit has tallied 123 power play chances and they have added 31 goals out of those attempts, giving them a percentage of 25.20%. While at even strength, the Red Wings have allowed 107 goals while earning 94 when they are on offense. Detroit has tried 1,197 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 10.4%. The Red Wings have had 1,129 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .887. Detroit Red Wings opponents have 108 power play tries (23rd in pro hockey) and have earned 21 goals in those attempts.

Protecting the goal for this matchup will be John Gibson. The opposition has racked up 1,453 goals against Gibson in his career and his goals against average is 2.81. Gibson has been in goal for 529 games throughout his pro hockey career. He has a save percentage of .909 for his 26,874 mins played. He has compiled a record of 217-225-64 and he was named the starter in 517 games. In his professional hockey career, Gibson has tallied 278 quality starts and his quality starts rate sits at .538. Gibson has seen 16,039 shot attempts taken against him and has recorded 14,586 total saves.

When they were on the ice last, Ottawa played the Blue Jackets in a game where the Senators ended up taking the loss by a final score of 4-1. The Senators recorded 1 goal out of the 28 shots on goal they took. They had 4 power play attempts in this one but didn't put one in the back of the net.

The Senators have earned 91 goals at even strength and 31 goals (5th in the NHL) while on the power play. Ottawa has attempted 1,062 shots (22nd in hockey) and has accumulated a shot percentage of 11.49%, while allowing the other team 968 shots. During this campaign, the Ottawa Senators have tallied 122 goals, 41 points, and a points percentage of .539. They have allowed 124 goals to be scored by of a combination of 94 goals at even strength and 30 goals while they had less men on the ice. They have earned 124 power play opportunities and they have a power play rate of 25.00%. They have recorded a penalty kill rate of 71.43% on their oppositions 105 opportunities on the power play, and their save percentage sits at 87.2%.

Across the ice you are likely to see Leevi Merilainen between the pipes. Merilainen is the owner of a career record of 12-11-2 and has participated in 25 contests. Merilainen's quality start rate sits at 47.8% and he has 11 quality starts in his career. He is sitting with 555 saves out of 619 shots taken against him, which gives him a save percentage of .897. The opposition is averaging 2.78 goals per game and he has allowed 64 goals overall. He has been a starter 23 games and has been on the ice for 768 minutes.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Josh's Pick: Take Detroit (-152)

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