Well we made, Game 82 of the 2025-26 NHL regular season for the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Ottawa Senators. Welcome back to NHL Predictions with us here at Last Word On Hockey. This is where we break down key storylines, statistics, and analysis to try to decipher how the games will play out. One last game before the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs begin for the Sens, and the Leafs can reflect on a season of change.
NHL Predictions with Senators and Maple Leafs
Season Series: Toronto won at home 7-5, then lost at home and on the road by a score of 5-2 both times.
Puck Drop: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) | 4:30 p.m. Pacific
How to Watch: Sportsnet, TVAS
Location: From the rink with not a bad seat in the house, the Canadian Tire Centre, live from the Canadian capital region in Kanata, Ontario.
Credit Image: © Daniel Lea/Cal Sport Media
A Tough Season in TO
Let’s be honest, the Leafs by all accounts, had a lost year. It cost (former) general manager Brad Treliving his job. Furthermore, the fate of head coach Craig Berube is still up in the air, pending the yet-to-be-hired GM’s decision. The fact that he is still there, does lend to the fact he will want the Leafs playing hard. He needs to be able to prove to his new boss, in Toronto or potentially elsewhere, that he was still able to get the most out of his players, even when they had little to play for. In contrast, the Leafs having been wanting to tank lately. Finishing in the bottom five of the standings is important to Leafs nation.
As a stipulation from the Brandon Carlo and Fraser Minten trade from the 2025 trade deadline, there was a top-five protected first-round draft pick included in that trade package. If Toronto manages to be in the top-five of draft selections for 2026, they get to keep their pick. Of course, nothing is guaranteed, given the lottery process we must still go through, but Toronto is right on the fringe.
In any sense, look for Berube to be rolling his lines and getting everyone involved. Even if he manages to scale back the ice time of those high-end players like William Nylander or John Tavares, everyone will be skating hard. Plus, there is the added incentive of the rivalry at stake, so you know Toronto will not be taken lightly.
Ottawa Has Its Mind Firmly On the Playoffs
It has been a long season for the Ottawa Senators. One thing that has increased the volume for the Sens, is that they have essentially been playing playoff hockey, really back to January. Going back to January 1st, Ottawa has the sixth best point percentage in the league (.651%). Astonishingly, four of the teams ahead of them, are from the Atlantic Division, and the other team is the Carolina Hurricanes. What?! Pillow Fight.
And with the Boston Bruins picking up the win last night, the Sens first-round matchup is set. The Sens take on those aforementioned Canes. Meanwhile, Boston takes on the Buffalo Sabres.
The one aspect that has been a sign of how difficult of a season it has been is all the injuries. Last game against the New Jersey Devils, four of the Sens best players sat out. That included a list of captain Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle, Jake Sanderson, and the recently returned from injury, Thomas Chabot. Even number-one goalie Linus Ullmark gave way to James Reimer in net.
Tkachuk was on the ice at practice. Furthermore, he confirmed he would be good to for Game 1 of the postseason.
Brady Tkachuk media avail: "That was honestly one of the weirdest, scary moments." #gosensgo pic.twitter.com/iI1GqxlKdH
— Coming In Hot (@ComingInHotSens) April 14, 2026
The Possible Replacements
Perhaps this is an opportunity to get some of their depth (muscle) into the lineup, to establish some rhythm. Hayden Hodgson sat out last game, but we all know why he was recently called up by the Sens. Kurtis MacDermid is also chomping at the bit at the slightest scent of any blood in the frozen water. Moreover, Stephen Halliday got back in Ottawa’s lineup last game for the first time in over a month. He was banged up the last time he had played, plus the Sens had a group of 12 on forward they were really happy with, not to mention luckily uninjured. So, head coach Travis Green didn’t want to mess with team chemistry. You know, the vibes.
Whoever the Sens roll out there for this one, they will have two goals. First of all, they will want to get their legs under them, to be ready for the playoffs. For these depth guys, they need to be ready when, and if, their names get called. Secondly, they will want to get some offensive rhythm. Try to find some matchups, or roles that work, so they have a spot to go, if they get into the lineup.
The Minders of the Crease
At this time, Joseph Woll and Linus Ullmark are listed as the expected starters yesterday. However, the starters are Dennis Hildeby versus James Reimer, but we had our stats for the other two. These two are actually trending in opposites directions. In Ullmark’s last four starts, he is 4-0, with a .942 save percentage, a 1.50 goals-against average, and picked up his third shutout on the campaign. If he does play in this one, it will be a new career-high 50 games played in a season for him. Conversely, for Woll, he is 0-3-1 in his last four times out. And we won’t mention the save percentage (.839).
Linus Ullmark’s last 4 starts:
4-0-0
.942 sv%
1.50 GAA
1 SOSend can beat anybody if he keeps this up. Getting hot at the right time. #GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/Tux9Ein1S5
— Jack Richardson (@jackrichrdson) April 14, 2026
However, it is a great time for our disclaimer. Please check social media prior to puck drop, to see definitely who gets the nod, before setting your fantasy roster for the day.
NHL Predictions
Ottawa is going to be focused on playing its structure, and not engaging in any shenanigans. It is unknown what to expect from the Leafs, as they will be playing loose. Expect an open game, so the scoreboard could get lit.
Prediction: Ottawa 5 – Toronto 4
Prop Bets
For our classic anytime goal scorers, take a couple Swedes. William Nylander for the Buds, and Fabian Zetterlund for Ottawa. Nylander has three goals in his last two games, and is one away from 30 on the year. Meanwhile, Zetterlund has four in four games. In a high-scoring affair, both could periodically pot-a-plenty pucks past puck stoppers.
Main Photo Credit: Marc DesRosiers-IMAGN Images
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