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Welcome back for another season of NHL Predictions. Each day, our writers here at Last Word on Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we will look at the Tampa Bay Lightning taking on the Ottawa Senators. Don’t forget to check out more NHL Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2025-26 season.
2024-25 Season Series: 2-2
Time: 7:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time
TV: TSN5, ESPN+
Location: Amalie Arena
This isn’t just any game, it’s a weather-themed showdown, Lightning versus Senators. One brings thunder and scoring depth, while the other brings a promising young core. Let’s dive into this crackling season opener with some analysis, predictions, and prop bet spice.
Last season ended in a disappointing first-round exit, and you can bet head coach Jon Cooper’s squad is out to prove the window isn’t closed. Rather, it’s just been greased with Flex Tape. With core veterans Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, and Victor Hedman all returning, the Bolts look to strike early and often. Andrei Vasilevskiy is back between the pipes after an offseason of resting, recharging, and probably bench pressing VCRs. If he’s in form, Tampa is dangerous against anyone. Especially a young team still figuring out how to defend in transition.
The key is to control the pace. Tampa has the skill and experience to dictate play, but if they let Ottawa’s youth get into a rhythm, it could be a track meet.
The Sens are still in their rebuild-to-relevance arc, but this year could finally be a step forward instead of a hopeful wobble. Tim Stützle, Brady Tkachuk, and Jake Sanderson headline a talented roster that’s ready to make some noise, and maybe stop blowing third-period leads.
Off-season additions aimed at stabilizing the blueline should help. However, goaltending remains the big question mark in some sense. Can Linus Ullmark handle the heavy workload as a clear number one goalie for an entire NHL season? Also, will Leevi Merilainen provide stability as an NHL backup. Even if he is at the young age of 23, in goaltending terms. If not, perhaps Mads Søgaard will see sometime in the NHL, after recently clearing waivers to join the AHL’s Belleville Senators.
They need it fast and loose. The Lightning are veterans, but they’re not the quickest team anymore. If Ottawa leans into youth, speed, and chaos, they might just catch Tampa off guard. Also, maybe don’t take penalties? Tampa’s power play still gives goalies night sweats.
Tampa Bay has too much firepower and too much experience to drop the puck on their season with a loss, especially to a team still ironing out the wrinkles in their system. But Ottawa’s young core is no joke, and they’ll keep this one interesting.
Prediction: Lightning win 5-3
Look for Tampa to jump out early, weather a Senators push, and seal the deal with a third-period dagger from Point. Bonus points if Anthony Cirelli scores a shorthanded goal and smiles like someone just told him he doesn’t have to do postgame interviews.
Let’s make this opener even more exciting (and possibly profitable?) with a few spicy props:
Nikita Kucherov Anytime Goal (+155)
Kuch starts hot almost every year, and if there’s a defensive lapse, he’ll pounce like a Florida man on a gas station burrito.
NHL Predictions thinks opening night is always unpredictable, but this one feels like Tampa Bay’s to lose. The Bolts will want to make a statement early in the year, and Ottawa, while promising, is still building toward consistency.
Expect some fireworks, a few scrums, a Kucherov no-look pass that makes SportsCenter, and maybe even a power outage if Amalie Arena can’t handle all this Lightning.
Stay tuned all season long for more NHL Predictions, and remember: hockey is back, baby.
Main Photo Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
Joe Rendace is an entrepreneur and sports writer. He resides in FL and is actively creating new content for Sports, Novels, Screenplays and Podcasting.
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