September 21, 2026 • 6:21 PM EDT
Updated 1 hours ago
Ottawa’s Key Absences Turn Tonight’s Preseason Clash Into a Montreal Statement Game
Ottawa Senators will face the Montreal Canadiens tonight in the Kraft Hockeyville preseason game at J.K. Irving Centre, New Brunswick, but they’ll do it without Tim Stützle, Thomas Chabot, Linus Ullmark, or bruiser Kurtis MacDermid, four core pieces missing in action on September 21, 2026.
The data leaves no room for debate: Tim Stützle, Ottawa’s franchise forward, is a healthy scratch; defense anchor Thomas Chabot is out for personal reasons; Linus Ullmark isn’t available between the pipes; MacDermid is sidelined with an upper-body injury. Add to that the loss of top-pair D Artem Zub and Foegele out, and Ottawa’s depth is exposed.
That’s the signal sharp bettors have waited for. Ottawa still ices names like Cozens, Batherson, and Pinto, but stripping the squad of their difference-makers shifts the win probability heavily toward Montreal. The Senators are left with a roster long on experimentation, short on elite finishing and blue line structure. This isn’t last April’s Sens: it’s a developmental mix with glaring holes.
Montreal’s approach could not be more different. The Canadiens bring Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, prize rookie Ivan Demidov and both Xhekaj brothers. In a preseason where most teams lean into new faces, Montreal is running NHL-standard lines against a Senators group missing stars at both ends.
Sharp Money Is Already Moving Toward Montreal: Bet the Habs
Related: Canadiens Face Senators in Star-Studded Trois-Rivières Clash
There’s no ambiguity here. When a team holds out their starting goalie, both franchise defensemen, and their most skilled forward, betting value on the full-strength opponent spikes. Preseason markets often lag these lineup realities, you want to act before the odds catch up. Without Stützle and Chabot, Ottawa’s offensive push will have to come from their middle six or unproven depth. Those matchups play into Montreal’s hands, especially with Suzuki and Caufield skating uninterrupted shifts. Linus Ullmark’s absence means Ottawa’s net is in untested hands, boosting Montreal’s team total and giving their top-line props value. Don’t ignore the game total, either. Ottawa’s defense corps has been patched together last minute, a defensive collapse or shooting gallery is in play. That supports correlated overs on Montreal’s shots and star player points props.
- Tim Stützle scratched: Ottawa loses its primary playmaker, dampens all Sens goal-prop value.
- Thomas Chabot out: No true top-pair D left, Montreal’s first line faces less resistance.
- Linus Ullmark absent: Ottawa’s net protected by backups, jump on Habs goals, shots, and points props.
- Montreal full-strength group: Suzuki, Caufield, Demidov all active, Montreal has matchup superiority across the board.
- Game played in New Brunswick, not home ice for either, neutralizes any home-ice lean.
The Takeaway for Bettors: Montreal Is the Clear Value Play
The market will settle, but the edge is live now. I’m backing the Montreal Canadiens moneyline and taking a partial stake on the -1.5 puck line. Ottawa’s roster can’t match Montreal’s firepower with so many scratches, and the public is likely behind the news. Fade Sens player props, shots and points are less likely with Stützle and Chabot out. If you get decent plus-money on Montreal puck line or star player point props before word spreads, this is the spot. The Montreal Canadiens picks and updated lines has tonight’s full slate and season record before you lock your bet.
“We’re missing some big guys, but it’s a great chance for our depth to show what they can do.”Ottawa Senators interim coach
This article was produced with AI assistance by Richard Gale (senior gambling industry executive and ThePicks founder), with editorial standards and betting methodology overseen by Ben Gale, and reviewed by the ThePicks editorial team. All statistics sourced from live BDL API data and verified source material. All betting opinions are those of ThePicks analysts.
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/bad-blood-senators-open-preseason-214526333.html
21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. The content on this site is for entertainment purposes only. We may earn a commission from affiliate links.
Login 
