Senators Look to Flip the Script After Dropping Saturday's Battle of Ontario Appetizer

The Senators head home still smarting from Saturday's 3-2 loss to Montreal, a game they were supposed to control but couldn't quite finish. DarkHorse nailed the +1.5 on Ottawa in that one, banking on competitive grit even in defeat—and that's exactly what we got. Now, five days later, the Sens get their immediate revenge shot on home ice.

Here's the thing: Montreal stole two points they probably didn't deserve last weekend, riding timely goaltending and a couple of fortunate bounces. Ottawa outshot them, controlled stretches of play, and still walked away empty. That's the kind of loss that either breaks you or sharpens you, and early-season Ottawa doesn't strike me as the fragile type.

The Canadiens, meanwhile, are riding a false high. Winning ugly on the road is great, but can they do it twice in the same building against a motivated opponent? History says no. The Senators have home-ice advantage, fresher legs after the extended break, and a score to settle. Montreal's defensive structure looked shaky in transition last game, and if Ottawa's power play wakes up, this could get lopsided fast.

Expect a chippy, urgent rematch. The Sens are due.