Ottawa Senators vs Los Angeles Kings Picks, Prediction, Odds, and Line Movement for Thursday October 29 2026

Ottawa heads to Los Angeles at 10 p.m. ET with an 8-5-0 record against a Kings team struggling at 3-6-2. The Senators are attempting to recover from a 4-1 defeat to Vegas on Tuesday, while Los Angeles lost 2-1 at Chicago after surrendering a 6-3 victory to the Rangers earlier in its road swing. The matchup favors Ottawa's more balanced attack, but the Kings return home with several important veterans available. A narrow moneyline rather than a two-goal puck line is the most sensible way to express the difference.

Ottawa has strong central depth through Tim Stutzle, Dylan Cozens and Shane Pinto, with Drake Batherson and Claude Giroux contributing from the wings. The Senators can shift possession into offense quickly when Jake Sanderson joins the rush. Thomas Chabot is expected to return after four games out, a meaningful boost to their breakout and defensive rotations. Ottawa must still manage an extended absence for Warren Foegele, and starting goaltender Linus Ullmark is unavailable. That means the visitors need controlled team defense rather than expecting one individual to rescue repeated breakdowns.

The Kings have mixed very strong offensive periods with long scoring droughts, and their early record reflects inconsistent execution. Artemi Panarin and Adrian Kempe remain dangerous on the first line, while Quinton Byfield and Trevor Moore can create chances when they reach the zone with speed. Los Angeles is without Kevin Fiala and Mats Zuccarello, limiting its finishing depth. Drew Doughty and Corey Perry are expected back after missing the Chicago game, which gives the Kings more veteran experience and makes them a more difficult opponent than the overall record alone might suggest.

Jonas Johansson is listed as Ottawa's starter, with Darcy Kuemper projected for Los Angeles. Ottawa's goaltending change is a concern in a game likely to include several chances off the rush. The Kings, however, have been among the weaker early-season teams at limiting goals and killing penalties. Ottawa should be able to create pressure if it gets clean power-play entries, although the return of Doughty can improve the first pass and remove some unnecessary defensive-zone time. The Senators need Johansson to be solid, not perfect, to justify the moneyline.

Ottawa opened as a small road favorite around -112 to -116 and has moved only slightly, with a sportsbook comparison showing -118. Los Angeles has been offered near even money or small plus money, indicating the books view this as competitive despite the differing records. The total has varied between 5.5 and 6, which makes precise goals projections more sensitive to goalie confirmation. Ottawa -118 is within the preferred -150 ceiling and does not require the visitors to win by multiple goals.

The Senators can pressure the Kings through the center of the ice if Stutzle and Cozens gain possession with momentum. Los Angeles's skill players can punish a careless Ottawa pinch, so Sanderson and Chabot must support each other rather than both pursuing offense too aggressively. The Kings' penalty killing has been a particular weakness, creating an opportunity for Ottawa to convert one or two power plays. Conversely, the Kings will try to slow the game and get long possessions from Kempe's unit to prevent Ottawa from attacking in repeated waves.

Los Angeles's puck movement through Doughty deserves more attention than his return alone. He can beat an aggressive Ottawa forecheck with a first pass that places Panarin and Kempe in space. The Senators should therefore avoid chasing the puck with both forwards on the same side and leave their defensive pairs exposed. Chabot's return improves Ottawa's ability to handle those transition moments, while Sanderson can provide the first controlled outlet. At the other end, a Kings penalty can allow Ottawa's skilled forwards to move defenders laterally before shooting. The matchup is not a mismatch, but the Senators have more paths to create those structured opportunities without relying on one veteran unit.

Los Angeles's return home matters, and a healthy Doughty can improve an entire defensive shift without generating an obvious box-score highlight. Kuemper is also capable of controlling the game when his defense protects rebounds. For Ottawa, the question is whether the blue line can keep shots to manageable locations in front of Johansson. That uncertainty argues against the Senators puck line or any suggestion of a guaranteed comfortable win. The straight moneyline offers a cleaner expression of the visitors' better scoring depth.

Best Bet: Ottawa Senators moneyline (-118 or better). The Senators have more reliable forward combinations, Chabot's expected return helps their puck movement and the Kings' defensive inconsistency gives Ottawa an opportunity to create quality looks. Los Angeles will be dangerous if Panarin and Kempe establish early offense, but the visitors have the stronger overall path. Prediction: Ottawa 4, Los Angeles 3. The Senators should find the decisive chance in a tight third period or overtime.