Ottawa Senators vs New Jersey Devils Picks and Predictions for Monday October 12 2026
The Ottawa Senators visit the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on Monday, October 12, 2026. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET. Ottawa enters at 4-1 after rallying for a 3-2 shootout victory over Nashville on Saturday, while New Jersey improved to 2-2 following a convincing 4-1 win against Vancouver. The Senators have won four of their first five games and have demonstrated an ability to succeed in tight contests, while the Devils are looking to build momentum after ending a two-game losing streak. New Jersey is listed around -130 on the moneyline, with Ottawa at +114 and the total set at 5.5 goals. Be sure to check out our free NHL picks for more NHL predictions throughout the season.
Ottawa Senators Have Found Ways to Win Close Games
Ottawa has enjoyed an encouraging opening to the season, winning four of its first five games while demonstrating considerable resilience. The Senators opened with consecutive road victories against Toronto and Boston before suffering their only defeat, a 5-3 loss to Detroit. They responded with a 2-1 victory over Philadelphia and followed that performance with Saturday’s dramatic comeback against Nashville. Ottawa has now won consecutive games and enters Monday with confidence, although its latest victory required a considerable amount of patience.
Saturday’s win against Nashville was particularly impressive because the Senators appeared headed for defeat after falling behind 2-0 during the first period. Ottawa struggled to establish consistent offensive pressure and went through an extended stretch without recording a shot on goal. However, the Senators reduced the deficit during the second period before scoring the tying goal late in regulation. They eventually secured the victory in a shootout, demonstrating an ability to recover even when their offensive performance isn’t particularly convincing.
Through five games, Ottawa has scored 14 goals while allowing 11, averaging 2.8 goals scored and 2.2 allowed per contest. Those numbers reflect a team that has relied more on defensive structure and timely execution than overwhelming offensive production. The Senators have allowed two goals or fewer in four of their five games, providing a dependable foundation for their early success. Ottawa also faces an injury concern involving defenseman Artem Zub, who has been dealing with a knee injury. Maintaining defensive depth could become important against a New Jersey team that just generated four goals against Vancouver.
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New Jersey Devils Looking to Build on Saturday’s Victory
New Jersey finally delivered the kind of complete performance it had been searching for with Saturday’s 4-1 victory over Vancouver. The Devils entered that contest following consecutive losses against the Islanders and Utah, having allowed 11 goals during those defeats. Against Vancouver, New Jersey established greater defensive control and generated enough offense to build a comfortable advantage. The victory improved the Devils to 2-2 and provided a much-needed boost before another home matchup.
The Devils’ special teams were particularly influential against Vancouver. New Jersey converted three of its four power-play opportunities, taking advantage of penalties and forcing the Canucks to defend for extended stretches. The Devils also generated 37 shots while limiting Vancouver to 21, demonstrating a significant improvement in controlling possession and creating quality scoring chances. That was a welcome change after New Jersey struggled to sustain offensive pressure during its earlier 6-0 loss against the Islanders.
New Jersey has scored 10 goals through four games while allowing 14, leaving the Devils with a negative goal differential despite Saturday’s impressive victory. Their defensive performance against Vancouver was encouraging, but one successful outing doesn’t automatically eliminate the problems that contributed to their earlier defeats. Ottawa has demonstrated an ability to remain competitive in close games, making another disciplined effort necessary. The Devils should benefit from playing at Prudential Center, but they’ll need to avoid the defensive mistakes that allowed Utah to score five goals earlier in the week.
Ottawa Senators vs New Jersey Devils Picks and Predictions
Pick: Ottawa Senators Moneyline (+114)
I’m taking Ottawa at the plus-money price. New Jersey deserves respect following Saturday’s impressive victory over Vancouver, but the Devils have been considerably less consistent than the Senators during the opening stretch. Ottawa has won four of its first five games and demonstrated an ability to protect narrow advantages or recover when trailing. The Senators have also been more dependable defensively, allowing 11 goals through five games compared with New Jersey’s 14 in four contests. The Devils’ power-play performance against Vancouver was impressive, but expecting that level of efficiency every night is difficult. Ottawa needs to remain disciplined and prevent New Jersey from generating repeated opportunities with the man advantage. At +114, the Senators offer reasonable underdog value against a home team still searching for consistency.
Pick: Under 5.5 Goals
The Under 5.5 is the total pick. Ottawa has allowed two goals or fewer in four of its five games, and its last two victories finished with five combined goals. The Senators have demonstrated an ability to compete in controlled contests without needing substantial offensive production. New Jersey also delivered an improved defensive performance against Vancouver, limiting the Canucks to one goal and 21 shots. The Devils should recognize that Ottawa presents a more disciplined opponent, while the Senators have little incentive to turn this matchup into an open offensive exchange. Both teams have reasons to emphasize puck possession and defensive structure, making a 3-2 or 2-1 result a realistic possibility. The Under is the preferred total at 5.5.
Final Picks: Ottawa Senators Moneyline (+114) and Under 5.5 Goals
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