The Ottawa Senators travel to Madison Square Garden to face the New York Rangers on March 23, 2026, in the only NHL game scheduled for Monday night. Puck drop is set for 7:30 PM EDT, and the matchup will be broadcast live on NHL Network. This game comes at an important time of the season, with Ottawa pushing hard for a playoff position while the Rangers are trying to finish the year on a stronger note.
Ottawa arrive in New York with strong momentum. The Senators have been one of the hottest teams recently, picking up points in most of their games since the season resumed after the international break. Their balanced attack has been key to this success, with multiple players contributing offensively, including captain Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stützle, Drake Batherson, and Claude Giroux. Ottawa’s aggressive offensive play has helped them remain competitive in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
New York, meanwhile, have had a difficult stretch. The Rangers followed a short winning run with four straight losses and have struggled to maintain consistency, especially at home. Madison Square Garden has not been a strong venue for them this season, where they have scored fewer goals and conceded more compared to their road performances. However, the team still has dangerous players like Mika Zibanejad, Vincent Trocheck, and Alexis Lafreniere who can influence games offensively.
Another key storyline entering this matchup is the schedule situation. The Rangers are playing on the second night of a back-to-back, which has been a problem for them throughout the season. Ottawa, on the other hand, have been performing well on the road recently and have consistently produced goals away from home.
With Ottawa fighting for playoff points and New York dealing with fatigue and inconsistency, this game could swing heavily toward the visiting Senators.
Match Information
| Match | Ottawa Senators vs New York Rangers |
|---|---|
| Date | March 23, 2026 |
| Time | 7:30 PM EDT |
| Venue | Madison Square Garden |
| Location | New York, USA |
| Broadcast | NHL Network |
Betting Odds
| Market | Senators | Rangers |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | -1.5 (+125) | +1.5 (-152) |
| Moneyline | -191 | +160 |
| Total | – | 6 |
Ottawa enter the matchup as clear favorites based on recent form and the Rangers’ struggles.
Recent Form
Ottawa Senators – Last 5 Games
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 22 | Toronto Maple Leafs | Win 5–2 |
| Mar 20 | New York Islanders | Win 3–2 |
| Mar 19 | Washington Capitals | Loss 1–4 |
| Mar 16 | San Jose Sharks | Win 7–4 |
| Mar 14 | Anaheim Ducks | Win 2–0 |
Ottawa have been strong recently, winning four of their last five games and maintaining good scoring form.
New York Rangers – Last 5 Games
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 22 | Winnipeg Jets | Loss 2–3 (SO) |
| Mar 20 | Columbus Blue Jackets | Loss 3–6 |
| Mar 19 | New Jersey Devils | Loss 3–6 |
| Mar 17 | Los Angeles Kings | Loss 1–4 |
| Mar 15 | Minnesota Wild | Win 4–2 |
The Rangers have struggled defensively during their recent losing streak.
Head-to-Head Record
Over the past few seasons, the Rangers and Senators have played several competitive games.
| Date | Result |
|---|---|
| Jan 15, 2026 | Senators 8 – Rangers 4 |
| Dec 5, 2025 | Rangers 4 – Senators 2 |
| Mar 8, 2025 | Senators 4 – Rangers 3 |
| Jan 22, 2025 | Rangers 5 – Senators 0 |
| Nov 2, 2024 | Rangers 2 – Senators 1 |
The teams have shared victories in recent meetings, but Ottawa produced a dominant win earlier this season.
Team Leaders
Ottawa Senators
| Player | Key Stats |
|---|---|
| Tim Stützle | 72 points |
| Drake Batherson | 61 points |
| Brady Tkachuk | Strong recent scoring form |
These players have been the backbone of Ottawa’s offense.
New York Rangers
| Player | Key Stats |
|---|---|
| Mika Zibanejad | 67 points |
| Vincent Trocheck | 48 points |
| Adam Fox | Leading playmaker |
The Rangers still possess several high-quality offensive players.
Goaltending Matchup
| Team | Goalie | Key Stats |
|---|---|---|
| Senators | Linus Ullmark | Improving form recently |
| Rangers | Igor Shesterkin | .912 SV% over last 10 games |
Both teams rely heavily on their starting goaltenders, especially in tight games.
Injury Report
| Team | Player | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Senators | Jake Sanderson | Injured |
| Senators | Nick Jensen | Injured |
| Senators | Dennis Gilbert | Injured |
| Rangers | Urho Vaakanainen | Injured |
| Rangers | Matt Rempe | Injured |
| Rangers | Noah Laba | Injured |
| Rangers | Jonathan Quick | Injured |
Ottawa’s defensive injuries are notable, but the team has managed to maintain solid defensive performances recently.
Team Statistics Comparison
| Category | Senators | Rangers |
|---|---|---|
| Goals per Game | 3.49 (road) | 2.79 |
| Goals Allowed | 3.46 (road) | 3.19 |
| Home Win Rate | — | 27.2% |
| Recent Form | Strong | Struggling |
Ottawa’s offense has been particularly effective away from home.
Player Prop Picks
| Player | Pick |
|---|---|
| Brady Tkachuk | Anytime Goal |
| Tim Stützle | Over 0.5 Points |
| Mika Zibanejad | Anytime Goal |
| Drake Batherson | Over 0.5 Points |
These players are among the most likely to contribute offensively.
Best Betting Picks
| Bet Type | Pick |
|---|---|
| Moneyline | Senators |
| Spread | Senators -1.5 |
| Team Total | Rangers Under 2.5 |
| Player Prop | Brady Tkachuk Anytime Goal |
Ottawa’s recent form and the Rangers’ back-to-back schedule give the Senators a clear advantage.
How to Watch Senators vs Rangers
Fans can watch the game live on NHL Network. The matchup takes place at Madison Square Garden with puck drop scheduled for 7:30 PM EDT.
Final Prediction
The Senators are playing some of their best hockey of the season and remain focused on securing a playoff spot. Their balanced offense and recent form give them an edge heading into this matchup.
The Rangers have struggled defensively and continue to deal with fatigue from a heavy schedule. Although they still possess talented offensive players, their recent performances suggest a difficult night against a motivated Ottawa squad.
Predicted Score
Ottawa Senators 4 – New York Rangers 2
