The Montreal Canadiens travel to Ottawa to face the Senators on March 11, 2026, in an important Atlantic Division matchup at the Canadian Tire Centre. Both teams are fighting hard in the Eastern Conference playoff race, which makes this game one of the most interesting matchups of the night.
Ottawa return home after a successful road stretch where they picked up several key wins and strengthened their playoff hopes. The Senators have been playing confident hockey recently, combining strong defensive performances with consistent scoring from their top forwards.
Montreal also arrive in solid form after defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs in their previous game. The Canadiens have been collecting points regularly over the past few weeks and have remained one of the stronger offensive teams in the conference. However, this game comes on the second night of a back-to-back situation for Montreal, which could affect their energy levels against a well-rested Ottawa team.
Both teams feature dangerous offensive players capable of producing goals quickly. At the same time, their head-to-head meetings often turn into high-scoring contests with plenty of chances created at both ends of the ice.
With Ottawa holding home-ice advantage and Montreal bringing strong attacking form, fans can expect an entertaining and competitive NHL matchup.
Match Details
| Match | Montreal Canadiens vs Ottawa Senators |
|---|---|
| Date | March 11, 2026 |
| Time | 7:30 PM ET |
| Venue | Canadian Tire Centre |
| Location | Ottawa, Ontario |
| Broadcast | Sportsnet |
Eastern Conference Standings
| Team | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 3rd | 82 |
| Montreal Canadiens | 4th | 80 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | 5th | 79 |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | 9th | 76 |
| Ottawa Senators | 10th | 73 |
Both teams are still firmly involved in the playoff race and every point matters during this stage of the season.
Betting Odds
| Market | Odds |
|---|---|
| Moneyline | Senators -170 |
| Canadiens | +145 |
| Puck Line | Senators -1.5 (+135) |
| Canadiens +1.5 | (-155) |
| Total | 6.5 Goals |
The betting market slightly favors Ottawa due to their current form and home advantage.
Also see: Brad Marchand Injury Update: Panthers Captain Could Need Surgery as Season in Doubt
Recent Form
Ottawa Senators – Last 5 Games
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 10 | Canucks | Win 2–0 |
| Mar 8 | Kraken | Win 7–4 |
| Mar 6 | Flames | Win 4–1 |
| Mar 4 | Oilers | Loss 4–5 |
| Mar 1 | Maple Leafs | Win 5–2 |
Ottawa have been producing strong offensive numbers and enter this game with multiple wins in recent games.
Montreal Canadiens – Last 5 Games
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 11 | Maple Leafs | Win 3–1 |
| Mar 8 | Kings | Win 4–3 |
| Mar 7 | Ducks | Loss 5–6 |
| Mar 4 | Sharks | Loss 5–7 |
| Mar 1 | Capitals | Win 6–2 |
Montreal have been scoring frequently but have also conceded goals during several games.
Head-to-Head Record
| Date | Result |
|---|---|
| Jan 18, 2026 | Canadiens 6 – Senators 5 |
| Dec 3, 2025 | Senators 5 – Canadiens 2 |
| Nov 2, 2025 | Canadiens 4 – Senators 3 |
| Oct 5, 2025 | Senators 3 – Canadiens 1 |
| Oct 1, 2025 | Canadiens 5 – Senators 0 |
Over the past few seasons the rivalry has been evenly matched, with both teams winning multiple games.
Key Trend
- Ottawa have scored three or more goals in their last five meetings against Montreal.
Key Players to Watch
Ottawa Senators
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Tim Stützle | Elite playmaker and top scorer |
| Brady Tkachuk | Physical forward and goal scorer |
| Drake Batherson | Top-line winger in strong form |
Stützle has been one of Ottawa’s most productive players this season and continues to generate offense regularly.
Montreal Canadiens
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Nick Suzuki | Team captain and leading scorer |
| Cole Caufield | Primary goal scorer |
| Lane Hutson | Creative playmaker |
Suzuki and Caufield remain the main offensive leaders for Montreal.
Projected Lineups
| Ottawa Senators | Montreal Canadiens |
|---|---|
| Ullmark (G) | Dobes (G) |
| Chabot – Matinpalo | Hutson – Guhle |
| Tkachuk – Stützle – Batherson | Caufield – Suzuki – Slafkovsky |
Ottawa’s top line continues to be one of their biggest strengths, while Montreal rely heavily on their scoring trio.
Goaltending Matchup
| Team | Goalie | GAA |
|---|---|---|
| Senators | Linus Ullmark | 2.78 |
| Canadiens | Jakub Dobes | 3.03 |
Ullmark has been Ottawa’s most reliable goaltender and continues to play a major role in the team’s success.
Injury Report
Ottawa Senators
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Jake Sanderson | Out (expected return later in March) |
Sanderson’s absence has forced adjustments in Ottawa’s defensive pairing.
Montreal Canadiens
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Cole Caufield | Minor injury – expected to play |
| Patrick Laine | Expected to return soon |
Montreal are close to full strength but continue to manage minor injury concerns.
Key Stats Comparison
| Category | Canadiens | Senators |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive Production | High scoring | Consistent |
| Defensive Record | Mixed | Solid |
| Recent Form | Strong | Strong |
| Momentum | Positive | Very strong |
Both teams have been producing offense, which could lead to another high-scoring game.
Player Props
| Player | Prop Pick |
|---|---|
| Drake Batherson | Over 1.5 Shots on Goal |
| Tim Stützle | Anytime Point |
| Nick Suzuki | Anytime Point |
Batherson has been consistently active on Ottawa’s top line and power-play unit.
Best Picks
| Bet Type | Pick |
|---|---|
| Moneyline | Ottawa Senators |
| Puck Line | Senators -1.5 |
| Total | Over 6.5 |
| Player Prop | Batherson Over 1.5 Shots |
Ottawa’s home form and strong defense could give them a slight advantage in this matchup.
How to Watch Canadiens vs Senators
Fans can watch the game live on Sportsnet, with puck drop scheduled for 7:30 PM ET at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa.
Final Prediction
Both teams enter this matchup with strong offensive momentum and playoff motivation. Montreal have been producing goals regularly, but the quick turnaround from their previous game could impact their performance.
Ottawa’s balanced attack and home-ice advantage give them the edge in what should be an entertaining and fast-paced contest.
Predicted Score
Ottawa Senators 4 – Montreal Canadiens 3
