Detroit Red Wings vs Ottawa Senators Picks and Predictions for Thursday February 26 2026
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The Detroit Red Wings travel to the Canadian Tire Centre to take on the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, February 26, 2026. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET, and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+. This Atlantic Division matchup features two teams pushing for positioning as the regular season heads into the stretch run. At the time of this writing, the odds were not released. Be sure to check out our free NHL picks for the full slate of action.
Red Wings Searching for Consistency
Detroit enters this contest at 33-19-6 overall and 15-9-4 on the road. The Red Wings have been solid away from home this season, but they have struggled recently, losing to Utah 4-1, Colorado 5-0, Washington 4-3 in a shootout, and Los Angeles 3-1, with their only recent win coming in a 2-0 victory over Colorado. That 1-4 stretch has exposed some offensive inconsistency, particularly against playoff-caliber opponents.
On the season, Detroit is averaging 2.97 goals per game while allowing 2.97 goals against per contest, reflecting a team that plays in tight, evenly matched games. They generate 28.4 shots per game and allow 27.7, suggesting they can control possession when they execute their system properly. Their power play has been a bright spot with 42 goals and a 23.1% success rate, while the penalty kill sits at 79.6%. The Red Wings have also allowed zero short-handed goals, which speaks to their discipline on special teams.
One key factor for Detroit will be whether their offense can rebound from recent struggles. In their last five games, they were shut out once and scored just one goal twice. If their power play can create momentum early, that could be the difference in a matchup that projects to be closely contested.
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Senators Building Momentum at Home
Ottawa comes into this matchup at 28-22-7 overall and 14-10-4 at home. The Senators have won four of their last five games, including victories over Philadelphia 2-1 in overtime, Pittsburgh 3-2, New Jersey 4-1, and Colorado 5-2. Their only recent loss was a narrow 4-3 defeat to Carolina. This recent run shows a team gaining confidence at the right time.
The Senators are averaging 3.30 goals per game while allowing 3.23. They take 28.5 shots per contest but limit opponents to just 24.5 shots per game, which is a significant defensive strength. Their power play mirrors Detroit’s at 23.1%, with 43 goals on the season. However, their penalty kill has struggled at 73.1%, and they have allowed 45 power play goals, which could be an area of concern against Detroit’s efficient man advantage.
Ottawa’s recent offensive output has been impressive, scoring at least three goals in four of their last five games. Their ability to suppress shots against at home could prove critical in slowing Detroit’s transition game.
Detroit Red Wings vs Ottawa Senators Pick
Red Wings vs Senators Pick
- Pick: Ottawa Senators Moneyline
Ottawa’s recent momentum combined with Detroit’s offensive struggles makes the Senators the more attractive side in this matchup. With four wins in their last five games and a strong shot suppression profile at home, Ottawa appears to have the edge in both confidence and form.
Red Wings vs Senators Total Pick
- Pick: Under 6 Goals
I’m leaning toward the under here. Detroit has averaged fewer than three goals per game this season and has struggled to generate offense in recent contests. While Ottawa has been scoring well, their ability to limit opponent shots at home suggests this game may slow down into a structured, lower-scoring battle.
Final Score Prediction: Senators 3, Red Wings 2
This prediction was written before the completion of game play on Wednesday.
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