Canadiens vs Senators Picks and Prediction – 2/23/2025

This Saturday, Nick Suzuki and the Montreal Canadiens will head to Canadian Tire Centre to take on Brady Tkachuk and the Ottawa Senators in a heated Atlantic Division matchup. Get our free NHL Picks all season long! The Canadiens enter the game with a 25-26-5 record, looking to bounce back after a 5-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on February 9. Suzuki continues to be a key leader for Montreal, providing offensive consistency alongside Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovský.

Montreal has struggled with defensive lapses, and against an Ottawa team capable of generating offense in bunches, they’ll need a much tighter defensive effort. Goaltending will also play a crucial role, as the Canadiens aim to slow down the Senators’ attack.

The Senators, sitting at 29-23-4, are also coming off a tough 5-1 loss to the Florida Panthers on February 9. Tkachuk has been a physical force and offensive catalyst for Ottawa, leading a team that also features Tim Stützle, Claude Giroux, and Drake Batherson. The Senators have been strong at home and will look to use their aggressive forecheck to disrupt Montreal’s transition game.

For Ottawa, dictating the pace and capitalizing on Montreal’s defensive struggles will be key. Tkachuk will aim to set the tone early, while Ottawa’s blue line, led by Thomas Chabot and Jake Sanderson, looks to limit Suzuki’s impact.

This matchup highlights Suzuki’s leadership and playmaking against Tkachuk’s physical presence and scoring ability in what should be an intense divisional battle. While Montreal will look to keep it close, Ottawa’s depth and home-ice advantage could give them the upper hand. Take the Senators to win and cover the puck line. Final Score Prediction, Ottawa Senators win 4-2.