Columbus Blue Jackets vs Ottawa Senators Betting Pick & Prediction for 12/29

bangthebook nhl game preview

The NHL regular season continues with the Columbus Blue Jackets taking on the Ottawa Senators. The game is set for Monday, December 29, 2025, at 7:00 PM at the Canadian Tire Centre. Fans can catch the action live on ESPN+.

The Blue Jackets, with a record of 16-15-6, are led by head coach Dean Evason. They currently rank 16th in the Eastern Conference and 8th in the Eastern Metropolitan Division. On the other side, the Senators hold an 18-14-5 record under the guidance of head coach Travis Green. They stand 13th in the Eastern Conference and 6th in the Eastern Atlantic Division.

Blue Jackets vs Senators Game Day Info

  • Sport: NHL
  • Teams: Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Ottawa Senators
  • Venue: Canadian Tire Centre
  • Date: Monday, December 29, 2025
  • Betting Odds: Ottawa Senators -204, Columbus Blue Jackets +166

Columbus Blue Jackets Team Preview

The Columbus Blue Jackets have shown mixed results in their recent games. They secured a 4-2 win against the New York Islanders, with Kirill Marchenko scoring twice. In the same game, Adam Fantilli contributed an assist and had eight shots on goal.

In another impressive game, the Blue Jackets won 3-1 against the Los Angeles Kings. They capitalized on their power play opportunities, scoring all three goals with the man advantage. Mason Marchment scored twice, and Damon Severson added two assists in this game.

The Blue Jackets’ defense has been tested, allowing four goals in a close 4-3 loss to the Anaheim Ducks. Zach Werenski had a strong performance, scoring one goal and one assist. The team’s goaltending, led by Elvis Merzlikins, will be crucial in upcoming games.

Ottawa Senators Team Preview

The Ottawa Senators have had a mixed bag of recent games. They lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs 7-5 despite getting 31 shots on goal. In that game, Linus Ullmark made 10 saves on 14 shots before being replaced.

Earlier, the Senators faced the Buffalo Sabres at home and lost 3-2. They managed 26 shots on goal and scored one power play goal. Ridly Greig and Drake Batherson contributed with a goal and an assist, respectively.

In a strong showing, the Senators defeated the Boston Bruins 6-2 on the road. They scored two power play goals and had 28 shots on goal. Fabian Zetterlund led the way with two goals and an assist, while Dylan Cozens added a goal and two assists.

BTB Betting Pick

The Ottawa Senators are the favorite with a moneyline of -204. They have strong skater stats, ranking 9th in goals and 5th in assists. The Columbus Blue Jackets, as the underdog with a moneyline of +166, face a tough challenge. The projected score is Ottawa 4, Columbus 2. Based on these factors, the pick is for the Senators to win straight up.

The total for this game is set at 6.5. Ottawa’s offensive stats suggest they will score multiple goals, while Columbus may struggle to keep up. The projected total score is 6, indicating a close game but under the line. Therefore, the recommendation is to take the under at 6.5 (-117).