Boston Bruins vs Ottawa Senators: Game preview, predictions and odds | January 18, 2024

The Boston Bruins are on the road to play the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre on Friday. The puck drop is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET.

Boston (22-19-5) is coming off a 6-2 home win over Tampa Bay. Ottawa (22-18-4) is coming off a 1-0 OT loss to the Washington Capitals.

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Bruins vs Senators: Head-to-head & key stats

• Boston is 91-45-8-13 all-time against Ottawa
• The Bruins are averaging 2.65 goals per game
• The Senators are 11-7-2 at home
• Boston is allowing 3.13 goals per game
• Ottawa is allowing 2.72 goals per game
• The Bruins are 9-12-2 on the road
• The Sens are averaging 2.81 goals per game

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Boston Bruins vs Ottawa Senators: Preview

Boston is battling for a playoff spot and is on a two-game winning streak. The Bruins are led by David Pastrnak, who has 48 points, Brad Marchand with 35 points, Pavel Zacha with 24 points, and Elias Lindholm, who has 22 points.

The Bruins will start Jeremy Swayman, who's 15-15-3 with a 2.89 GAA and a .898 SV%. In his career against Ottawa, he's 4-2-2 with a 2.68 GAA and a .917 SV%.

Ottawa, meanwhile, is also battling for a playoff spot and had its three-game winning streak snapped. The Senators will continue to start Leevi Merilainen, who's 5-2-1 with a 1.84 GAA and a .930 SV%. This will be his first start against Boston.

The Senators are led by Tim Stutzle, who has 43 points, Drake Batherson with 39 points, Brady Tkachuk with 38 points, and Claude Giroux, who has 28 points.

Bruins vs Senators: Odds & Prediction

Boston is a +108 underdog while Ottawa is -130 with the over/under set at 5.5 goals.

This is a pivotal game, as Boston and Ottawa are both battling for a playoff spot with each other. Although Ottawa's starting goalie Linus Ullmark has been injured, Merilainen has been a major bright spot.

Both goalies have been playing well as this should be a low-scoring game. But, at home, the Sens will be able to edge out a big home win here.

Prediction: Ottawa 3, Boston 2.

Bruins vs Senators: Betting Tips

Tip 1: Ottawa ML (-130)

Tip 2: Under 5.5 goals (+106)