Upcoming Match-ups

Senators vs Canucks Odds, Picks, and How to Watch

Ryan Bolta

by Ryan Bolta in NHL Hockey

Updated Jan 29, 2021 · 8:34 AM PST

Vancouver Canucks defensemen Quinn Hughes skating in the middle of a NHL game.
Vancouver Canucks' Quinn Hughes skates against the Minnesota Wild in an NHL hockey game Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
  • The Ottawa Senators (1-3-1) face the Vancouver Canucks (2-5-0) on Monday night
  • It is the only NHL game on the calendar that day
  • Here are the odds, an in-depth look at each team and a prediction that offers incredible value

Something has to give when the Ottawa Senators and Vancouver Canucks meet Monday night at 10:00 pm ET in Vancouver.

It’s the only game on the slate and it should be a good one. Both teams are desperate for a victory. Both teams can’t be underdogs, so the odds makers have listed the Canucks as favorites on the moneyline.

Ottawa Senators vs Vancouver Canucks Odds

Team Spread Moneyline Total
Ottawa Senators +1.5 (-205) +132 O 6.5 (-103)
Vancouver Canucks -1.5 (+170) -152 U 6.5 (-118)

Odds taken Jan. 24th at DraftKings

This feels a little bit like a Thursday Night football game where the two teams in prime time are only there because everyone gets a chance. The match up may not be sexy, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t money to be made. Here’s a break down of the match up that helps shine a spotlight on the best value play.

Murray & Holtby Struggling In New Spots

The Senators paid a steep price to acquire Matt Murray and then forked over a multi-year extension. While the sample size is small, the first four games of his tenure in Ottawa have not proven to be worth it. He’s 1-2-1 with a 3.78 goals against average and .880 save percentage. That save percentage ranks 45th in the league, which is ugly when you consider only 51 goalies have played games this season. Murray will need to improve his play for the Senators to turn things around in the North division.

The Canucks signed Braden Holtby to replace Jacob Markstrom who they lost in free agency. His start hasn’t been much better than Murray’s. He’s 2-2-0 with a 3.70 goals against average and .888 save percentage. The concerning issue with Holtby is this doesn’t look any different than last year. He ranked 51st among 55 qualified goalies in save percentage with the Capitals as well. What if that wasn’t a blip and this is simply his skill set at this point in his career?

Canucks Rank Dead Last In Key Stat

It’s not only the goaltending that’s been an issue in Vancouver. The team isn’t scoring nearly enough to mask any woes they have on the back end. The Canucks rank dead last in goal differential at -13. For context, the Senators rank 29th but they are only -6. It’s not just one bad game either, they have allowed at least five goals in five of their seven games so far.

No player on the Canucks has struggled more in the early going than Elias Pettersson. The superstar forward has only one goal and one assist in seven games. He has no points on the power play and only 15 shots on goal. While Holtby has been disappointing in goal, their best forward being unable to provide offense has been a key contributor to the struggles.

Take Ottawa On The Moneyline Monday Night

The Senators are +128 in a match up between two teams finding their way right now. Home ice means very little with no fans in attendance and it’s tough to identify a reason why Ottawa is offering this value. It’s a coin flip game where tails pays much more than heads. Trust the Senators young stars like Brady Tkachuk and Thomas Chabot to take advantage of a reeling Canucks team and bet them on the moneyline.

Pick: Ottawa Senators (+128)

Author Image