Ottawa travels to Madison Square Garden in a strong position, while the Rangers are dealing with a slide and have been at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings for some time now. The Senators have picked up points in 10 of their last 12 games and continue to push toward a playoff spot, while New York has dropped four straight. The betting market reflects that gap, with Ottawa listed as a clear road favorite. For bettors, the question is whether Ottawa’s consistency carries over on the road or if the Rangers can finally stabilize at home.
This is the only game in the NHL tonight, with plenty of more action later this week, including some big games.
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Ottawa Senators vs New York Rangers
- Date & Time: March 23, 2026, 7:30 p.m. ET
- Venue: Madison Square Garden
- Broadcast: MSG, TSN5
Key Storylines Senators vs Rangers
Recent form
Ottawa enters this game off a 5-2 win over Toronto, part of a run that has seen the team win four of its last five. During that stretch, the Senators have shown balance across the lineup, scoring at least three goals in each of those wins. Over a larger sample, Ottawa has secured points in 10 of 12 games, which has kept them in the playoff picture. New York’s form tells a very different story. The Rangers have lost four straight games, including a 3-2 shootout defeat to Winnipeg on Sunday and a 6-3 loss to Columbus. Defensive breakdowns and inconsistent scoring have been common themes, especially at home where New York has struggled to generate offense.
Goaltending
Ottawa’s crease has been steady enough to support its recent run. Linus Ullmark stopped 12 of 14 shots in the win over Toronto and has generally provided reliable play behind a structured defensive effort. While his season save percentage sits closer to average territory, Ottawa has limited high-danger looks well during this recent stretch. New York’s situation is less stable. During Sundays loss against Winnipeg Dylan Garand did his debut for the Rangers, stopping 35 out of 37 shoots giving him a save percentage of .946%. Igor Shesterkin was on the bench. The team has allowed at least three goals in each of its last four losses, and the defensive support in front of the goaltender has not been consistent. That combination has made it difficult for New York to close games.
Key skaters
Ottawa’s attack has been driven by Tim Stutzle, who has recorded 28 goals and 34 assists through 58 games. Brady Tkachuk remains a major presence with his physical style and scoring touch, while Claude Giroux continues to produce timely offense. The Senators also received contributions from multiple players in the win over Toronto, including Ridly Greig and Michael Amadio, highlighting their depth. New York still has talent up front, with Mika Zibanejad and Alexis Lafreniere leading the way, though the overall production has dipped during the current losing stretch. The Rangers have managed at least two goals in most recent games, though they have not been able to keep pace defensively.
Betting Trends & H2H
The odds reflect Ottawa’s stronger position. The Senators are priced around -192 on the moneyline, while the Rangers sit near +160. The puckline is set at Ottawa -1.5 with plus money, and the total is listed at 5.5, with the over slightly favored.
Ottawa has been a reliable team away from home with an 18-13-4 road record, while New York has struggled badly at Madison Square Garden at 9-17-7. The Rangers have also failed to win in 21 of their last 23 home games in regulation, which is a major red flag for bettors backing the underdog. On totals, Ottawa games have leaned toward higher scoring, with the over hitting 65% of the time at 5.5, while New York games have been slightly more balanced but still trend toward allowing goals.
Head-to-head results have been mixed. The teams have split their two meetings this season, with Ottawa winning 8-4 on the road and New York taking a 4-2 win earlier in the year. Over a longer stretch, the Rangers hold a slight edge, though recent form suggests Ottawa has the upper hand right now.
Ottawa Senators vs New York Rangers Pick & Model Projection
ATS PRO
- Score Projection: Ottawa Senators 4 – New York Rangers 2
- Pick: Ottawa Senators -1.5
- Confidence: 4 out of 5
- Win Probability: Ottawa Senators 66%, New York Rangers 34%
Ottawa holds a clear edge in this game across several key areas. The Senators are in better form, have been more consistent on both ends of the ice, and face a Rangers team that has struggled to protect home ice. The difference in defensive structure stands out. Ottawa has limited opponents effectively during its recent run, while New York continues to give up quality chances and has not received enough support in goal.
The projected 4-2 score aligns with Ottawa’s recent scoring output and the Rangers’ defensive issues. The puckline offers strong value given New York’s poor home record and Ottawa’s ability to close games. While the Rangers still have enough skill to contribute offensively, their current level is not enough to match Ottawa over 60 minutes. Backing the Senators to win by multiple goals is the preferred play.
