Montreal Canadiens vs Ottawa Senators Prediction, 1/17/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Montreal Canadiens vs Ottawa Senators

Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026

Location: Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON

TV: TSN5

The Ottawa Senators (22-19-5) are hosting the Montreal Canadiens (26-14-7) at Canadian Tire Centre on Saturday.

The Montreal Canadiens were on the losing side of the ice with a 3-2 defeat against the Capitals in their previous outing. Montreal compiled 25 penalty minutes in this contest. The Canadiens didn't have their best offensive outing in this loss. Additionally, they had 4 power play opportunities but weren't able to convert one of them into a goal. In the outing, they finished 2 out of the 26 shots they put on goal.

Regarding their scoring, the Montreal Canadiens have racked up 157 goals (5th in hockey) so far this season and have given up 150. For the season, they have tallied 59 points and their points % is .628. Montreal is sitting with 134 power play chances and they have notched 30 goals out of those advantages, giving them a percentage of 22.39%. At even strength, the Canadiens have given up 119 goals while having 127 themselves. Montreal has attempted 1,230 shots and is the owner of a shot percentage of 12.8%. The Canadiens have had 1,278 shots tried against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .883. Montreal Canadiens opponents have tallied 153 power play opportunities (3rd in the league) and have earned 31 goals in those attempts.

The man in goal for this game is Jacob Fowler. The opposition has been able to score 22 goals against Fowler in his professional career and his goals against average is 2.44. Fowler has played in 9 contests over the course of his hockey career. His save percentage currently is .908 for his 22 mins guarding the cage. He has compiled a record of 4-3-2 and he started in 9 games. In his career, Fowler has tallied 5 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .556. Fowler has had 238 shot attempts against him and has garnered 216 total saves.

In their last contest, Ottawa squared up with the Rangers in a game where the Senators took home the win by a score of 8-4. They had 3 chances on the power play in this one and netted 1 out of those chances. The Senators scored 8 goals of the 30 shots on goal they tried.

The Senators have accumulated 113 goals at even strength and 35 goals (6th in hockey) while on the power play. Ottawa has put up 1,311 shots (13th in the NHL) and has earned a shot percentage of 11.29%, while allowing the opposition 1,159 shots. Over the course of the season, the Ottawa Senators have tallied 148 goals, 49 points, as well as a points percentage of .533. They have permitted 153 goals to be scored by way of 116 goals at even strength and 37 goals while they had less men on the ice. They have recorded 154 chances on the power play and they have a power play percentage of 22.73%. They have a penalty kill rate of 72.39% on their oppositions 134 power play chances, and their save percentage comes in at 86.8%.

For the opposition you will find Leevi Merilainen in goal. His opposition is averaging 2.77 goals per game and he has given up 86 goals altogether. Merilainen's percentage of quality starts is 41.9% and he has qualified for 13 quality starting assignments in his pro hockey career. He has started in 31 games and has been on the ice for 785 mins. Merilainen is sitting with a career mark of 16-14-2 and has played in 33 contests. He has racked up 696 stops out of the 782 shots attempted against him, which gives him a save % of .890.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Ottawa

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