Winnipeg Jets vs. Ottawa Senators Pick and Prediction for Saturday January 3 2026
Use Code WWWC The Winnipeg Jets (15-20-4) visit the Canadian Tire Centre on Saturday night desperate to snap an eight-game winless streak (0-5-3). Their latest heartbreak came on New Year’s Day, where they squandered a 4-1 second-period lead against the Toronto Maple Leafs, eventually falling 6-5. Despite sitting last in the NHL standings—a shocking fall for the previous year's Presidents' Trophy winners—the Jets remain a dangerous offensive team that has lost seven of its last eight games by just a single goal.
The Ottawa Senators (19-15-5) are trending in the opposite direction, currently fighting through a logjam for a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Ottawa opened 2026 with a gutsy 4-3 win over the Washington Capitals and has already found success against Winnipeg this season, earning a 3-2 overtime victory back in December. The Senators enter as a -142 moneyline favorite, with the total goals set at 5.5. For expert analysis and daily wagering insights on the full slate of NHL action, be sure to check out the latest free NHL picks over at Winners and Whiners.
Jets: Searching for a Finish
Winnipeg’s offense is not the problem. Mark Scheifele is playing at an elite level, leading the team with 48 points and coming off a two-goal performance in Toronto. Alongside him, Kyle Connor has maintained a point-per-game pace (45 points), and Gabriel Vilardi has been a force on the power play. However, head coach Scott Arniel has pointed to a lack of "defensive habits" and consistency in one-goal games as the primary reason for their historic slump.
Defensively, the Jets are struggling to protect their netminder. Connor Hellebuyck (9-10-3, 2.51 GAA) has been the victim of poor shot-blocking and net-front coverage lately. While Hellebuyck remains one of the league's best, the Jets have surrendered an average of 4.2 goals per game over their last five outings. To exit Ottawa with a win, Winnipeg must find a way to stabilize their defensive zone in the third period.
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Senators: Protecting the Nest
The Senators have become one of the league’s most exciting young teams, led by Tim Stützle, who has 42 points and is currently on a nine-game point streak. Stützle played a hand in all three goals during the previous meeting with Winnipeg and continues to be the engine of an Ottawa power play that ranks 8th in the NHL at 24.6%. The depth scoring has also improved, with veteran Claude Giroux and Brady Tkachuk providing consistent secondary production.
The major hurdle for Ottawa on Saturday will be the crease. Starting goaltender Linus Ullmark is currently on the injured reserve for personal reasons, leaving the starting duties to rookie Leevi Meriläinen. While Meriläinen has shown flashes of brilliance, he carries a 3.46 GAA and a .872 save percentage. The Senators' defensive strategy will likely focus on high-possession play to keep the puck away from their young netminder.
Analysis & Betting Picks
Moneyline: Ottawa Senators (-142)
While the Jets are due for a win eventually, it is difficult to back a team that has forgotten how to close out games. Ottawa is 9-7-3 at home and possesses the speed to exploit a Winnipeg defense that has looked tired and disorganized in the final frames of recent games. Stützle’s line is currently a mismatch for anyone on the Jets' roster, and with the home crowd behind them, the Senators should be able to extend Winnipeg’s misery.
Total: Over 5.5 (-120)
This total of 5.5 feels low given the recent form of both teams. Winnipeg is coming off an 11-goal thriller in Toronto, and both teams are currently starting goaltenders with save percentages below .910. Ottawa averages 3.23 goals per game, and the Jets have proven they can score even in losing efforts. Between Scheifele’s hot hand and the Senators' top-10 power play, this game should comfortably reach six or seven total goals.
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