Senators vs Red Wings Prediction 1/5/26 NHL Picks Today
Detroit Red Wings (24-15-4) vs. Ottawa Senators (20-15-5)
January 5, 2026 7:30 pm EDT
The Line: Ottawa Senators -155 / Detroit Red Wings 130; Over/Under: 6.5
(Get latest betting odds)
In this article we will formulate a Senators vs Red Wings prediction for this NHL game on Monday, January 5th at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Ottawa Senators Betting Preview
The Ottawa Senators are 20-15-5 this season after they defeated Winnipeg by a score of 4-2 in their last game. Ottawa had their lead cut to 3-2 in the third period, but they scored with about five minutes left to seal the victory. The Senators out shot Winnipeg by a total of 27-23, won 41.1% of the face-offs, and went 2-5 on the power play in the game. Ottawa got goals from Batherson, Giroux, and Chabot (2), while Merilainen stopped 21 out of 23 shots, which was a .913 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Ottawa defeated the Capitals by a score of 4-3, but lost to the Blue Jackets by a score of 4-1 before that. The Senators have won two games in a row and they are currently second to last in the Atlantic standings with 45 points. Ottawa has scored 3.25 goals per game and they have allowed 3.23 goals against per game, while also going 25.0% on the power play and 72.6% on the penalty kill this season. Tim Stutzle has led Ottawa with 19 goals and 24 assists, while Drake Batherson has added 16 goals and 22 assists. The projected starting goalie for Ottawa is Leevi Merilainen, who is 6-7-0 with a 3.34 goals against average and an .875 save percentage this season.
Detroit Red Wings Betting Preview
The Detroit Red Wings are 24-15-4 this year after they lost to Pittsburgh by a score of 4-1 in their last game. Detroit cut the deficit to 2-1 in the second period, but they allowed two empty net goals to seal the loss. The Red Wings were out shot by a total of 31-12, won 45.8% of the face-offs, and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Detroit got their lone goal from DeBrincat, while Gibson stopped 27 out of 29 shots, which was a .931 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Detroit lost another game to the Penguins by a score of 4-3, but did beat the Jets by a score of 2-1 before that. The Red Wings have lost two games in a row and they are currently third in the Atlantic standings with 52 points. Detroit has scored 3.00 goals per game and they have allowed 3.16 goals against per game, while also going 24.8% on the power play and 80.5% on the penalty kill this season. Lucas Raymond has led Detroit with 11 goals and 33 assists, while Alex DeBrincat has added 22 goals and 20 assists. The projected starting goalie for Detroit is John Gibson, who is 13-9-1 with a 2.93 goals against average and an .895 save percentage this year.
Why the Ottawa Senators will win
- The Red Wings have lost each of their last seven games at Canadian Tire Centre following a loss.
- The Senators have won seven of their last eight games against the Red Wings at Canadian Tire Centre.
- The Red Wings have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last six games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Senators have covered the puck line in each of their last five games against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Red Wings have lost the third period in each of their last four games at Canadian Tire Centre following a home loss.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Red Wings’ last four road games against Eastern Conference opponents have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Ten of the Senators’ last 12 games against Atlantic Division opponents have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Three of the last four games between teams from the same division have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Senators’ last 12 games.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in 14 of the Red Wings’ last 15 road games against opponents on a winning streak.
Ottawa Senators Player Prop Facts
- David Perron has scored a goal in each of his last four appearances against the Red Wings.
- Tim Stutzle has recorded at least one assist in six of the Senators’ last seven home games.
Detroit Red Wings Player Prop Facts
- James van Riemsdyk has scored a goal in each of his last four appearances with the Red Wings as road underdogs.
- Patrick Kane has recorded an assist in each of his last five road appearances against Eastern Conference opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Ottawa Senators rank 31st in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (72.57%).
- The Ottawa Senators rank 5th in the league in power play percentage this season (25.00%).
- The Detroit Red Wings rank 6th in the league in power play percentage this season (24.81%).
- The Detroit Red Wings rank 32nd in the league in short handed goals this season (0).
Senators vs Red Wings Prediction
Detroit comes into this matchup looking to bounce back from back to back losses against Pittsburgh, but they will be on the road here. The Red Wings are 10-7-3 on the road this year, while the Senators are 10-7-3 at home. Ottawa has won two games in a row, but they have been very inconsistent this season. The Senators are still dealing with an injury to Ullmark, but they have played well against Detroit in the past two seasons. Take the Senators to win at home.