Archive note: Technical commentary has been removed. This remains historical pregame coverage; original selections have been retained where stated.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Ottawa Senators Prediction - March 26, 2026
Note: Final picks on our picks page may differ from this article's prediction, as they incorporate last-minute goalie confirmations, injury updates, and live odds closer to game time. Always check the picks page for the most up-to-date selections.
The Pittsburgh Penguins travel to Ottawa for a matchup against a hot Senators team that has emerged as one of the season's surprise contenders. On paper, this looks like a classic clash between a streaking club and a veteran franchise trying to find consistency. With both teams well-rested heading into Wednesday night, the focus shifts squarely to underlying performance metrics and how each team's core strengths matchup.
Team Form & Recent Performance
The Ottawa Senators have been nothing short of dominant over their last five games, posting a 4-1 record with the confidence of a team playing championship-level hockey. They've won eight of their last ten overall and are establishing themselves as serious playoff contenders. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, has been more inconsistent, posting a 2-3 record over their last five games despite their strong franchise pedigree. The Penguins sit at 4-3-3 overall, a record that reflects their roller-coaster performance this season. Both teams enter with a day of rest, so fatigue won't be a factor in determining the outcome of this Penguins Senators pick.
This is where the narrative becomes crystal clear: Ottawa is simply generating better chances and controlling play at a higher rate.
Goalie Matchup
Linus Ullmark has been exceptional for the Senators, posting a 23-10-7 record with the kind of consistent excellence that defines playoff-caliber goaltending. Sidney Skinner enters for Pittsburgh at 20-14-9, a solid record but one that doesn't match Ullmark's elite play.
Goalscorer Picks
Pittsburgh: Sidney Crosby remains the Penguins' safest anytime goalscorer bet, though Brady Tkachuk for Ottawa offers genuine value at superior odds given his role in the Senators' offensive surge. Ottawa: Tkachuk is the primary suggestion, while Dylan Cozens is the dark horse option.
Prediction
Our NHL picks favor the home team decisively. Run your own prediction with our calculator to see how different variables shift the outcome.
Note: Final picks on our picks page may differ from this article's prediction, as they incorporate last-minute goalie confirmations, injury updates, and live odds closer to game time. Always check the picks page for the most up-to-date selections.