Panthers vs Senators Prediction, Starting Goalies & Best Bets
By Michael Schwartz in NHL Hockey
Published:
- The Panthers visit the Senators on Wednesday with both teams priced at -110 on the moneyline
- Brady Tkachuk returns to Ottawa for the first time since his June trade to Florida
- Read on for my Panthers vs Senators prediction, starting goalies and best bets
Brady Tkachuk makes his first trip back to Ottawa following his June 21 trade to the Florida Panthers, and he’s bringing a hot team with him. The former Senator has 6 goals and 4 assists in 9 games as a Panther, while Florida has won three straight, including an 8-3 rout of Seattle on Saturday.
The Senators are coming off a 3-1 loss to Philadelphia on Saturday and will be without Thomas Chabot for one to two weeks. Even so, the latest NHL odds call this a coin flip, with both sides sitting at -110 on the moneyline at BetMGM.
Matthew Tkachuk is just as hot, riding an eight-game point streak with 3 goals and 11 assists over that span. Below you’ll find my Panthers vs Senators prediction, plus the projected starting goalies, the injury impact on both sides and my best bets for tonight’s game.
Panthers vs Senators Prediction
- Senators to win (YES 51¢ at Kalshi)
My Panthers vs Senators prediction is on Ottawa to win, even with Florida bringing all the momentum into this one. Senators YES is trading at 51 cents on Kalshi, about a 51% implied chance, while Panthers YES sits at 50 cents.
That’s a cheaper way into the same outcome than Ottawa’s -110 moneyline at BetMGM, which implies roughly a 52.4% chance. Compare the final cost including trading fees before choosing between the two.
The real edge is in the crease. Florida is without Jacob Markstrom, so Akira Schmid projects to start against Linus Ullmark. I’ll take the home team with the healthier goalie picture in a game the market simply can’t separate this evening.
Panthers vs Senators Starting Goalies
The Panthers vs Senators starting goalies aren’t confirmed yet, but Schmid and Ullmark are projected to get the nod. Florida’s official site notes Markstrom is injured, with Schmid and Cooper Black stepping up in his absence. That leaves the Panthers leaning on their depth in net on the road.
Panthers vs Senators Goalie Comparison
Ullmark projects to get the home crease for Ottawa, and a strong night against this Florida attack would help his standing in the Vezina Trophy odds. He’ll need to be sharp against a Panthers team that just put eight goals on Seattle.
Panthers vs Senators Injury Impact
Ottawa takes the bigger hit on the blue line, with Thomas Chabot out one to two weeks with an upper-body injury. Losing Chabot thins out the Senators’ defense right as Brady and Matthew Tkachuk come to town, and it’s the biggest risk to my pick.
Florida’s main concern is in net with Markstrom out. The offense hasn’t slowed down, though, with an eight-goal outburst against Seattle capping a three-game win streak. Schmid won’t need to steal this game if the Panthers keep scoring like that.
Panthers vs Senators Odds
The Panthers vs Senators odds at BetMGM have both teams at -110, essentially a coin flip once you remove the vig. Florida is -278 to cover +1.5, about a 73.5% implied chance, while Ottawa pays +220 on the -1.5 puck line for roughly a 31.3% shot.
The total sits at 6 goals, with the Over at -105, about a 51.2% implied chance, and the Under at -115 for roughly 53.5%. A whole-number total means a six-goal final, such as 4-2, would push, so keep that in mind before betting either side.
Odds as of Oct. 20 via BetMGM. Kalshi prices as of Oct. 20.
Panthers vs Senators Best Bets
Ottawa YES at 51 cents is my top play among the Panthers vs Senators best bets, and it’s the only one I’m firing on right now. The home-ice and projected goaltending advantages support the pick, with trading fees factored into the price comparison.
If you want a bigger payout, the Senators -1.5 puck line pays +220, but it needs a two-goal win against a team that just scored eight. I’d keep that to a small stake if you play it at all.
