The Detroit Red Wings and Ottawa Senators will meet on Monday in an Atlantic Division clash in the NHL. Both teams are moving in opposite directions going into this game, with Ottawa enjoying recent success at home and Detroit eager to reverse its early January missteps. Here, I take a closer look at this game on the ice and I bring you my Red Wings vs Senators prediction.
Our Red Wings vs Senators Pick
Pick: | Senators ML |
Confidence: | 4/5 |
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Detroit Red Wings vs Ottawa Senators
- Date & Time: Monday, January 5, 2026, 7:30 PM ET
- Venue: Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, Ontario
- Broadcast: ESPN+
Add ATS as a Preferred Source on Google
Key Storylines
Recent Form
- Detroit enters off consecutive losses, including a 4‑3 defeat to Pittsburgh where Detroit managed only 12 shots, one of its lowest shot totals in recent franchise history. The Red Wings have gone 2‑2‑1 in their last five games and are 0‑1‑1 in January so far.
- Ottawa has won its last two games, beating Winnipeg 4‑2 and Washington 4‑3. Tim Stützle has been a catalyst for Ottawa, extending his point streak to 12 games, providing his team with both goals and assists over that span.
Goaltending
- Detroit is expected to start John Gibson, who owns a respectable record with a goals‑against average of 2.93 and save percentage of .895. Gibson’s performance will be key to limiting Ottawa’s offense and ending the Senators' winning streak.
- Ottawa’s goaltending situation is less certain, with Leevi Merilainen likely in net for this contest. Merilainen’s season save rate is just .875, and Ottawa have to support him with strong defense to protect him in goal.
Key Skaters
- Alex DeBrincat leads Detroit in goals with 22 this season and will be a focal point for their offense. Lucas Raymond also provides primary playmaking ability.
- Tim Stützle has been Ottawa’s most consistent offensive threat, leading the team in goals and points while riding a lengthy point streak. Brady Tkachuk and Drake Batherson also add scoring ability and physical presence for the Sens.
Best Player Props
Player | Prop |
|---|
Tim Stützle | Any Time Goal Scorer |
Alex DeBrincat | Any Time Goal Scorer |
Betting Trends & H2H
- This is the first of four regular-season meetings between the Red Wings and Senators this year.
- Detroit is 20-23 on the puckline going into this matchup.
- Ottawa is 17-23 in the puckline market heading into Monday night's game.
Red Wings vs Senators Model Projection
- Score Projection: Senators 4 – Red Wings 3
- Win Probability: Senators 57%, Red Wings 43%
Final Thoughts
I'll back the Ottawa Senators to win at home and extend their two-game winning streak by defeating the Red Wings tonight. Ottawa should take advantage of a struggling Detroit defense that has allowed four goals in each of their first two games in 2026. Look for the Sens to score at least three goals and for them to hand Detroit their third loss in a row.
Jay Sanin
Jay Sanin is the GM and Head of Sports at ATS.io. He has been writing about sports gambling since 2013, handicapping tens of thousands of sporting events. He plays sides and totals aggressively across most sports and is more selective in player prop markets. He does his own modeling across most sports, and his family is jealous of how much time he spends on his precious spreadsheets.
Affiliate Disclosure
ATS.io uses affiliate links. If you sign up through a link on this page, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Rankings are based on hands-on testing and published criteria, and affiliate relationships do not determine placement.
