Nashville vs Ottawa Prediction 23 January 2026
🔊 Mid-season classic: neither team has secured anything yet, but their playoff hopes remain alive. Historically, games between the Predators and Senators tend to be more pragmatic than emotional. However, emotions might just play a crucial role this time! Will Nashville bounce back after two consecutive losses? Let's gear up for the January 23 match with our insightful prediction.
Head-to-Head
📊 Over the past five years, these teams have faced off nine times: Nashville came out on top in five of those encounters, while Ottawa claimed victory in four. The head-to-head games between the Predators and the Senators haven't been particularly high-scoring, averaging 2.9 to 2.1 goals across their nine meetings.
This season, they've clashed once already - in October, when Ottawa suffered a heavy home defeat (1-4). The standout performer was Jonathan Marchessault, who netted a brace.
Head-to-head statistics Nashville - Ottawa
Nashville Predators Team Overview
After falling to Vegas (2-7) and Buffalo (3-5), the Tennessee team has started a losing streak for the first time in two months. Since November, Andrew Brunette's squad hadn't been defeated more than once in a row-an achievement that shouldn't be underestimated.
These two setbacks have significantly impacted the Preds' standings. Instead of being in the top eight, Nashville has slipped to 11th place in the Western Conference, trailing the playoff zone by three points. The situation isn't dire, considering the Predators have two upcoming games at their home, Bridgestone Arena.
All eyes are on the performance of the hosts' top scorer, Ryan O'Reilly, whose scoring streak has now reached five games (5 goals, 5 assists). Swedish defenseman Adam Wilsby is set to return to action against the Canadian club after a week of recovery from injury.
Match Results: Nashville Predators
Ottawa Senators Team Overview
Despite the Canadian club's 14th place standing (53 points) in the Eastern Conference, the Senators' situation isn't hopeless. They trail the playoff zone by just five points, and after their game in Nashville, Travis Green's squad faces a series of four home games.
Ottawa have picked up points in their last five matches (3 wins and 2 overtime losses), marking the third time this season they've put together such a run. During this stretch, only three teams in the league have earned more points than the Canadian club-Anaheim, Utah, and Tampa Bay.
Since mid-January, the Sens' starting goaltender Linus Ullmark has returned to practice. However, according to American media reports, the 32-year-old Swede won't be playing in Nashville as he aims to be fully fit for the home series.
Match Results: Ottawa Senators
🏒 Projected Lineups
Nashville: Saros - Josi, Shea - Forsberg, O'Reilly, Evangelista
Ottawa: Reimer - Sanderson, Zub - Batherson, Stützle, Zetterlund
🥅 Goaltenders
Nashville's Finnish goaltender Juuse Saros was absent in their game against Vegas (2-7), and in the previous match against Buffalo, the 30-year-old was pulled after conceding four goals in 24 minutes. Fellow Finn Justus Annunen managed a shutout but couldn't reignite the contest. Let's not forget that Saros faces the heaviest workload this season, with 1,063 shots against him-more than any other goalie in the NHL.
In Ullmark's absence, another Scandinavian, Finnish keeper Leevi Meriläinen, stepped up as the primary goaltender. However, in the game against Montreal (5-6 OT), the 23-year-old allowed six goals on 19 shots and was benched for the next two matches. Veteran James Reimer seized the opportunity to make an impact; with the Canadian in net (91.1% save percentage), Ottawa secured points in two consecutive games.
Editorial Prediction
We've already noted the low scoring in head-to-head matchups between these teams (only once in the last ten meetings have they combined for seven or more goals). However, it's worth mentioning that Nashville are averaging a solid three goals per game overall, whereas Ottawa have struggled to score in these encounters-netting three goals or fewer in seven of their last eight games against the Predators. Yes, Saros is likely to face plenty of shots, but scoring more than three goals will be challenging, hence Ottawa's team total under 3.5 goals.
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Betting Tips: Nashville Predators - Ottawa Senators
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