Florida Panthers vs Ottawa Senators Picks and Predictions for Wednesday October 21 2026
Florida put eight goals on Seattle Saturday. Eight. And that came a few days after the Panthers hung seven on Columbus. Ottawa had better hope the Panthers used up some of those goals, because the Senators haven’t been scoring much themselves lately. They managed one against Philadelphia Saturday, and that was against a Flyers team that hadn’t won a game all season. Not a great sign with Florida coming to town.
The Panthers visit the Senators at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 PM ET. Ottawa is a slight favorite, around -115 on the moneyline, with Florida around -105. The total is 5.5 goals at most books, although some have moved to six. You can find more predictions in our free NHL picks.
Florida Panthers Have Found Their Scoring Touch
Florida is 5-2-2 and has won three straight. The Panthers beat Columbus 7-3, got past Vancouver 3-2 in overtime, and then hammered Seattle 8-3. That’s 18 goals in three games. The Seattle game was something else. Florida scored five in the second period and never looked back. The Panthers have had some rough nights this season, including a 5-3 loss at Buffalo, but they’re starting to look like a team that can score in bunches again.
Florida is averaging 3.33 goals and allowing 2.78 per game. The Panthers are putting 29.3 shots on net while allowing only 24. That’s a pretty good way to play hockey. Keep the puck down at the other end and make the goalie work. The power play is converting 20.9%, which isn’t spectacular, but it’s respectable. Ottawa’s penalty kill is sitting at 79.4%, so Florida should get some chances if the Senators start taking penalties. The Panthers have also been winning games despite a 46.4% faceoff percentage. They’d probably like to clean that up.
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The Panthers have been getting plenty of offense from their top lines, including six goals from their leading goal scorer over the last five games. Their leading point producer has 11 points during that stretch, and that’s the kind of production that makes a defense nervous. Florida does have injury problems. Aleksander Barkov remains out with a lower-body injury, and Brad Marchand is sidelined with a leg issue. Radko Gudas has also been dealing with an undisclosed problem. That’s a lot of experience missing, but Florida hasn’t had much trouble finding the net lately.
Ottawa Senators Need To Find Some Goals
Ottawa is 6-3-0, and the Senators have done plenty right this season. They’ve beaten Toronto, Boston, and New Jersey, and they’ve been getting good goaltending. But the last three games haven’t been much fun offensively. Ottawa lost 7-2 to St. Louis, beat the Islanders 2-1 in a shootout, then lost 3-1 to Philadelphia. Five goals in three games. That’s not going to get it done against Florida if the Panthers keep scoring the way they have.
The Senators are averaging 2.44 goals and allowing 2.56. Ottawa’s defense has been pretty good most nights, and the goaltending has helped cover up some mistakes. The power play is another matter. It’s converting only 12.8% of its chances. That’s near the bottom of the league, and it’s costing Ottawa goals. The Senators are winning 51.4% of their faceoffs, which helps them control possession, but they aren’t doing enough with the puck once they have it. They need more shots, too. Ottawa is averaging just 23.1 shots per game.
The Senators’ leading scorer has five goals and 12 points through nine games, so there is some offense here. Their goaltending has been excellent, with the top netminder sitting at a .945 save percentage and 1.33 goals-against average. That’s a big reason Ottawa has six wins. But the injury list isn’t helping. William Eklund is out for an extended stretch after ankle surgery, and the Senators have had some issues on defense as well. Ottawa needs to keep this game tight and hope its goalie can slow down Florida. If the Panthers start getting odd-man rushes, it’s going to be a long night.
Florida Panthers vs Ottawa Senators Picks and Predictions
Florida Panthers Moneyline (-105)
I’m taking Florida. Ottawa has been the better defensive team, and its goaltending has been excellent. I know that. But the Senators are scoring only 2.44 goals a game, and their power play is converting 12.8%. Florida has scored 18 goals in three games and is getting almost six more shots per night than Ottawa. The Panthers are also 3-1-2 on the road, so they’re not afraid of playing away from home. The concern is Ottawa’s goalie stealing the game. He’s been good enough to do it. But at nearly even money, I’ll take the team that’s creating more offense.
Over 5.5 Goals (-120)
Give me over 5.5. Florida has scored seven and eight goals in two of its last three games, and the Panthers have been generating plenty of shots. Ottawa’s offense has been quiet, but the Senators are at home and should be able to get a couple. The danger is Ottawa turning this into one of those 2-1 games where nobody gets much room to shoot. The Senators have done that before. But Florida has been too dangerous lately, and I don’t think Ottawa can spend the whole night sitting back. I’m looking for something around 4-2 Panthers.
Final Picks: Florida Panthers Moneyline (-105) and Over 5.5 Goals (-120)
This preview was completed October 20, 2026. Betting lines, injuries, and starting goaltenders may change before puck drop.
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