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Both teams meet in differing playoff fights as we enter action on the first Saturday of April. You know the NHL’s Stanley Cup Playoffs are just days away now, you can smell it. Welcome to NHL Predictions as the Ottawa Senators host their fellow Atlantic Division opponents in this one. After the teams split their first two meetings of 2024-25, just who will emerge this go around? Now with the Panthers battling it out with the Toronto Maple Leafs for tops in the division and Ottawa trying to maintain its slim cushion on the wild card positions, this one sure feels like it will bring playoff-like action and intensity. Notice, today’s affair is an afternoon occasion, so get those drinks on ice early!
TV: TSN5, RDS, ESPN+
2:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
The Ottawa Senators come into this one after winning their last game 2-1 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. They want to keep the good times going, as wins have been difficult to come by in the last few. Fortunately for them, the previous set of games had allowed them to build a bit of a cushion in the Eastern Conference wild card rankings. Still, with so few games remaining in the regular season schedule, every game has a crucial two points up for grabs.
Linus Ullmark is likely to go for Ottawa. The only question in his status is how busy he’s been lately. However, coming off a 31-save effort against Tampa, he is sharp. Ullmark’s numbers are really good with a 22-14-3 record, a 2.75 GAA, and a .909 SV%, including three shutouts.
As we carry on our NHL Predictions, there is still uncertainty in the status of Ottawa power forward Brady Tkachuk. He didn’t play last game, and with the Sens winning, if he needs rest, give it to him. Their success without him will however, only last so long. Obviously, the sooner he’s back the better for the Ottawa Senators. Ottawa is currently up by five points for the top wild card seeding above the Montreal Canadiens. It is a bit of breathing room, but they’d much prefer to be winning. Look for a strong game from the group today. Also for Ottawa, former Panther Nick Cousins won’t play against his former team. He continues to sit out with a knee injury, but is supposedly nearing a return.
We heard from head coach Paul Maurice yesterday. And it was more negative, than positive, news for the Florida Panthers. Already without Brady’s brother, Matthew Tkachuk, also Aaron Ekblad continues to serve his suspension for PEDs, now Aleksander Barkov will miss, at least their next two games.
Other than that, Maurice also indicated his starter will be Sergei Bobrovsky for the game. Bobrovsky still gets it done. He has a 2.45 GAA, with a .906 SV%, five shutouts, and a very strong 31-17-2 record.
Look for the supporting cast to step up for Florida. Furthermore, they have lots of candidates to fill that role. The two Sams, Sam Bennett and Sam Reinhart. Bennett is a great, two-way competitor and earned his Team Canada invite for the 4 Nations. Meanwhile, Reinhart leads the team in goals (37), points (78), and is second in assists (41).
This one is tight to call with both Tkachuks potentially out of the lineup. That fact that Barkov is out, might tip the scales in the Senators favour. This will be a hotly-contested battle as both teams will be playing motivated. Look for Ottawa to prevail on home ice.
Final Score: 3 – 2 Sens
If we mix in some prop bets, Ottawa is paying +102 on the moneyline. Next, throw-in anytime scorers two guys that have been hot in Jake Sanderson and Reinhart, it pays over +2K for a three-leg parlay, maybe you feel lucky. Well, do ya, punk?
Please play responsibly, check for your local rules and age restrictions, some jurisdictions require ages 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Main Photo Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Levi Pike is an editor and writer here at Last Word on Hockey. He has lived all over Canada but grew up in Nanaimo, BC. Currently, he lives with his loving wife, three kids, and dog in the capital of the Easterly most province of Canada, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. He’s passionate about hockey, in particular, the Ottawa Senators and statistics. He received both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Statistics at Memorial University of Newfoundland.
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