The Detroit Red Wings travel to the Canadian Tire Centre to face the Ottawa Senators on February 26, 2026, in a matchup that could play a key role in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Ottawa enters as a home favorite after strong performances before the Olympic break, while Detroit comes in with the better overall season record but recent inconsistency.
This game presents an interesting tactical battle. The Senators have been playing tighter defensive hockey at home and rely heavily on goaltender Linus Ullmark, who has been excellent in Ottawa. Detroit, meanwhile, generates a high volume of shots and has strong power-play efficiency, but their recent form and road scoring inconsistency raise concerns. With both teams allowing around three goals per game and coming off a long layoff, this contest is expected to be close, physical, and likely decided by goaltending and special teams.
Match Information
| Match | Detroit Red Wings vs Ottawa Senators |
|---|---|
| Date | February 26, 2026 |
| Time | 7:00 PM ET |
| Venue | Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa |
| TV | ESPN+, TSN5 |
| Moneyline | Senators -150 |
| Puck Line | Senators -1.5 |
| Total | 5.5 – 6.5 Goals |
Team Season Performance
| Category | Red Wings | Senators |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 33-19-6 | 28-22-6 |
| Goals Per Game | 3.0 | 3.3 |
| Goals Against | 3.0 | 3.2 |
| Goal Differential | 0 | +4 |
| Power Play | 23.08% (Top 10) | 23.24% (Top 10) |
Both teams are strong on special teams, but Ottawa has the slightly better offensive production, while Detroit holds the edge defensively.
Recent Form & Last Games
| Team | Recent Form | Key Trend |
|---|---|---|
| Senators | 5-1 before break | Allowed 2 or fewer goals in 4 of last 5 |
| Red Wings | 1-4 in last 5 | Offensive inconsistency |
| Ottawa Home | 14-10-4 | Strong defensive structure |
| Detroit Road | 15-9-4 | Competitive but scoring drops |
Ottawa comes into the game with momentum, while Detroit looks to reset after a difficult stretch.
Projected Lineups
Ottawa Senators
Forwards
- Drake Batherson – Lars Eller – Claude Giroux
- Brady Tkachuk – Dylan Cozens – Ridley Greig
- Nick Cousins – Shane Pinto – Michael Amadio
- Fourth line rotation
Defense
- Jake Sanderson – Thomas Chabot
- Remaining defensive pairs as standard rotation
Goalies
- Linus Ullmark (Projected starter)
- Backup: Anton Forsberg
Detroit Red Wings
Forwards
- Alex DeBrincat – Dylan Larkin – Lucas Raymond
- Andrew Copp and top-six regular rotation
- Depth scoring lines as usual structure
Defense
- Moritz Seider leading top pair
- Standard defensive rotation
Goalies
- Cam Talbot (Projected starter)
- Backup option available
Also see: Bruins vs. Blue Jackets Prediction: Lineup, Last Games, Injury Report
Injury Report
Ottawa Senators
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Tim Stützle | Game-time decision (Illness) |
| David Perron | Out (Groin) |
| Joonas Matinpalo | Day-to-day |
Stützle’s availability is the key factor for Ottawa’s offensive strength.
Detroit Red Wings
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Simon Edvinsson | Out (Lower body) |
Detroit otherwise enters the game with a stable lineup.
Key Players to Watch
| Senators | Red Wings |
|---|---|
| Tim Stützle – 60 points | Alex DeBrincat – 30 goals |
| Drake Batherson | Lucas Raymond – 60 points |
| Jake Sanderson – 47 points | Dylan Larkin – 51 points |
| Linus Ullmark (G) | Moritz Seider |
Detroit’s offensive leaders bring scoring depth, while Ottawa’s advantage comes from goaltending and home structure.
Head-to-Head & Trends
| Trend | Insight |
|---|---|
| Senators at home vs Detroit | Won 3 of last 4 |
| Red Wings at Ottawa | Struggled in recent visits |
| H2H Puck Line | Underdogs covered last 10 meetings |
| Total Trend | Detroit has hit Under in many recent games |
Both teams allow a combined 6.2 goals per game, slightly below the current total line.
Also see: Maple Leafs vs Panthers Prediction: Lineup, Last Games, Injury Report
Player Props to Watch
| Player | Prop Angle |
|---|---|
| Linus Ullmark | Over 22.5 saves |
| Thomas Chabot | Over 1.5 shots |
| Dylan Larkin | Anytime point |
| Claude Giroux | Over 0.5 points |
Detroit averages over 28 shots per game, making Ullmark’s save prop one of the strongest angles.
Best Picks for Red Wings vs Senators
| Market | Pick |
|---|---|
| Moneyline | Senators |
| Puck Line | Red Wings +1.5 (safer option) |
| Total | Under 6.5 |
| Prop Pick | Ullmark Over 22.5 saves |
| Same Game Angle | Under + Ullmark saves + Chabot shots |
Match Prediction
This game is expected to be tight and defensive. Ottawa’s strong home goaltending gives them the edge, but Detroit’s shot volume should keep the contest close throughout.
Predicted Score:
Senators 3 – Red Wings 2
Expect a structured, low-scoring matchup where goaltending plays a major role. Ottawa’s recent form and home advantage make them the slight favorite, but Detroit’s depth and shot pressure should keep the game within one goal. The safest betting angles remain Senators moneyline, Red Wings +1.5, and the Under.
