Nashville Predators vs Ottawa Senators Picks, Prediction, Odds, and Line Movement for Saturday October 10 2026

Nashville arrives in Ottawa with a more encouraging result than its early record alone suggests. The Predators beat Montreal 5-2 on Thursday, scoring three third-period goals and finally getting a productive finish to a game on the road. Ottawa is 3-1 after a 2-1 win over Philadelphia in its home opener. The Senators are favored for good reason, but the price creates an opportunity to consider a Nashville side whose offense is beginning to connect.

The Predators are 2-1-1, with the Senators at 3-1. Ottawa's superior start does not erase its injury issues, especially on defense. Both clubs have enough veteran forwards to create high-quality chances, making the strength of the goaltending and the ability to exit cleanly under pressure central to Saturday's handicap.

Ryan O'Reilly drove Nashville's comeback in Montreal with a late power-play goal. Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault join him on the projected top line, giving the Predators three forwards who understand how to play in tight areas. Filip Forsberg remains their most dangerous individual finisher and is projected to skate with Matthew Wood and Nils Hoglander. Nashville has enough shooting talent to punish an opponent that struggles with gap control.

The Predators also received two goals from Adam Edstrom against Montreal, an important reminder that the team does not have to rely entirely on Forsberg and Stamkos. Yet their deeper forward lines have been unsettled. Mavrik Bourque left Thursday's game with an upper-body problem, and Vitali Pinchuk is projected to make his NHL debut in his place. Relying on an inexperienced center against Ottawa's skilled forwards could create defensive-zone challenges.

Nashville changed its blue line as well, acquiring Jayden Struble from Montreal on Friday. He is expected to debut alongside Adam Wilsby with William Trudeau injured. Roman Josi remains the defense's principal puck mover, with Nicolas Hague projected as his partner. Juuse Saros is listed as Nashville's expected starter after stopping 32 shots in Montreal. His rebound control can keep the Predators competitive even during stretches when Ottawa holds possession.

Tim Stutzle and Drake Batherson have started well and are projected to skate with Andre Burakovsky, who is returning from a preseason upper-body injury for his season debut. Dylan Cozens, Ridly Greig and Fabian Zetterlund give the Senators another line capable of generating rush chances. Ottawa has been winning close games and can also trust Linus Ullmark, who is back in the projected starting spot after the win against Philadelphia.

The significant weakness is on defense. Jake Sanderson and Artem Zub are sidelined, forcing Thomas Chabot and a younger supporting group to handle more difficult matchups. Carter Yakemchuk and Jordan Spence can move the puck, but there is a difference between generating offense and defending a skilled veteran line that can cycle for an entire shift. Nashville should aim to create long possessions against Ottawa's depleted defense pairs.

Ottawa is also without William Eklund after an ankle injury suffered against the Flyers. Burakovsky's return gives the offense a lift, but replacing one injured forward with another returning player does not remove the uncertainty. The Senators remain difficult to beat at Canadian Tire Centre, yet a price in the -160 neighborhood implies a degree of control the lineup may not fully support.

Nashville was around +142 in the morning market and has shortened into the mid-+130s, while Ottawa moved from the upper -150s into the mid -160s. The modest shift toward Nashville is understandable after the Montreal result, but the Predators still offer an attractive underdog return. The matchup is not about claiming Nashville is more talented; it is about the effect of Ottawa's missing defensemen on a close game.

If Saros keeps Nashville within a goal early, the Predators can attack the Senators' younger blue line through the O'Reilly and Forsberg groups. Ottawa may generate more clean rush chances, particularly with Stutzle, but Nashville's experience in the offensive zone and its finishing ability make the dog live. The deciding goal could come from a power play or a misread on a breakout rather than sustained domination.

Ottawa has a clear edge in its transition attack, but Nashville can disrupt that advantage by winning faceoffs and spending longer shifts below the offensive circles. That approach would also reduce the number of rush opportunities the Senators create through Stutzle and Batherson.

Best Bet: Nashville Predators moneyline at +133 or better. The Senators deserve to be favored, but their defensive injury cluster creates a credible upset route for Nashville's veteran forwards. Saros gives the visitors a chance to stay patient until those opportunities arrive. The wager is price-sensitive; without the plus-money cushion, Ottawa becomes harder to oppose.