Welcome back to this Saturday night edition of NHL Predictions here at Last Word on Hockey as the Vancouver Canucks are in town to take on the Ottawa Senators. Vancouver has been okay this season as they try to manage not having their starting goaltender at their disposal. Meanwhile, Ottawa is experiencing a recurrent theme for the organization as their struggles in November seem to pop up annually. They are trying to bump their current four-game losing streak. So, as we get into it, we will send out the reminder. Be sure to check out all our coverage as we look at key matchups and provide detailed analysis on all the games throughout the 2024-25 campaign.
NHL Predictions
Vancouver Canucks at Ottawa Senators, from Canadian Tire Centre
Time: 7:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: Sportsnet One, TVA Sports, ESPN+
The Ottawa Senators Could Use a Saturday Night at Home
It seems that head coach Travis Green is trying to slightly tinker. Will it work? That’s what we are here to breakdown. Travis Hamonic draws in for Jacob Bernard-Docker after last game failed to reveal any new results. Also, upfront, Noah Gregor continues to nurse an undisclosed injury and will miss tonight’s game. However, something of more significance was the line combinations coach Green was running in this mornings practice.
Normally, when Ottawa wants to experiment with lines, one of Brady Tkachuk and Claude Giroux get the responsibility of providing a spark for an individual or their line. One player getting the luxury of Tkachuk’s presence on their line is Shane Pinto. Hopefully it allows Pinto to get going as he has been far below last year’s scoring pace. Also, the Sens appear to be loading up their second line with the likes of Tim Stutzle and Drake Batherson joining Giroux on a line. In any case, the Sens should have three lines that can score and have the pieces to have a responsible fourth line even. Maybe these new combos are the magic needed for the season.
Linus Ullmark draws in tonight for a Sens team that really wants to win. Of course, in November there is no such thing as a must win game, but this sure as heck feels like one.
The Ottawa Senators and the One They Call Bath Man
Vancouver Looks to Stay Above the Curve
For the Vancouver Canucks, they are looking to stay in the conversation as a playoff team. Even falling back to where they are currently, as only a playoff contender, feels like a bit of a disappointment.
They have plenty of positives and negatives. Their Vezina-calibre goaltender, Thatcher Demko, only just resumed practicing with the club. Kevin Lankinen has finally found his stride and is due for the start tonight, as a great example of mixing the good with the bad. Also, a Canuck star, J.T. Miller has had to step away from the club. However, Dakota Joshua is recently back following an off-season health scare. The Canucks will look to work hard in this one, but like the Sens, struggle with consistency.
For Sens fans, Erik Brannstrom returns tonight to the team he called home for his first six NHL seasons. He has been a pleasant surprise for the Canucks, in less than 15 minutes of ice time, he is already up to six points. Senator fans know his value, and he has the potential to be a great third-pair defenceman in this league.
NHL Predictions: Canucks and Senators
Based on our analysis, Ottawa needs a win at home. Luckily for them, Vancouver isn’t quite refined to be able to prevent that from factoring in.
Prediction: Ottawa wins in regulation, 5-2.
According to Fanduel, if we want to look at adding some friendly wagers on the outcomes, check these out. Even though it is best to stay away from a parlay of this size, the elements that comprise it are welcoming. Go David Perron, Shane Pinto, Jake Sanderson, and Claude Giroux with two or more shots tonight. Follow this with Sanderson getting a shot in the first period and Stutzle an anytime scorer, pays +3539. Who knows, right?
Main Photo: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
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