Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are happening and gives our predictions for each one, breaking down head-to-head matchups and other factors that may play in. Today, we are looking at a game featuring the last of the Canadian teams to start their regular season action, the Ottawa Senators against the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. Florida already started their NHL season with a 6-4 victory Tuesday night versus the Boston Bruins. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days as the 2024-25 season starts.
NHL Predictions
Florida Panthers at Ottawa Senators, from Canadian Tire Centre
Time: 7:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: TSN5, ESPN+
2023-24 Regular Season Series: Florida won (3-0-1)
Ottawa Senators Journey to the Promise Land Starts Tonight
The Ottawa Senators begin the quest to the 2025 NHL postseason against one of the end bosses. No better to say, “you can’t be the best, unless you beat the best.” Of course, Ottawa isn’t trying to be ‘the best’ necessarily, but they desperately want to make the playoffs. Both the players and the fans alike have been waiting for the beginning of the season optimism to translate into end of season success. Over the past few seasons now they’ve been hopeful of better days, but as of yet, that has not come to fruition. However, this is a new season and the journey begins tonight.
Florida is a team that, last year, the Senators were unable to match. In contrast, one important aspect of Ottawa’s 2024-25 lineup, compared to recent years’ past, is their
depth at forward. Players like
Noah Gregor,
Michael Amadio,
David Perron, and
Adam Gaudette are all formidable depth pieces to inject into your lineup. They also added a member of the Panthers Stanley Cup-winning squad,
Nick Cousins. These are all dependable guys, that are hard to play against. Especially reliable if it is in your team’s bottom six. The edition of the Sens may not beat Florida often, but they will give them everything they can handle.
The Florida Panthers Are the Defending Cup Champs After All
The Florida Panthers came out with a roar to start their Stanley Cup title defence. On Tuesday, they lit up Bruins goalie, former Senator, Joonas Korpisalo 5-1 halfway through the contest. The Bruins did comeback, but, make no mistake, the Panthers are a serious threat to go back-to-back. Furthermore, Ottawa is a good test for them.
Even though we don’t anticipate Florida and Ottawa being close to one another in the standings, this type of matchup is a solid litmus test to check the balance of power within the hotly contested Atlantic Division. Year-over-year, the Panthers lost more assets than they acquired. Players like Brandon Montour, Vladimir Tarasenko, and Anthony Stolarz have moved on. So, it does beg the question whether or not they’ve allowed the other teams to catchup.
The Panthers attack was led by Sam Bennett‘s two goals, along with Evan Rodrigues and Sam Reinhart also having two-point nights against the Bruins. They still have the high-end talent and pack the offensive punch that got them their Stanley Cup victory. If Ottawa’s top players don’t perform, it is going to be tough for them to take down the Panthers.
NHL Predictions: The Panthers and Senators Ottawa Home Opener
For our NHL predictions, keep in mind, the Panthers are still a very powerful lineup. Also, they were quite dominant last year against the Senators outscoring them 16-2 in their four meetings. Ottawa will battle tough in their 2024-25 regular season opener, at home, with their prized, new goaltender patrolling the crease. It will be close, but look for Florida to ride the wave of momentum off the winner in the opener against Boston.
Prediction: Panthers win in shootout, 3-2.
When it comes to some bets to add to your viewing entertainment, we like
Brady Tkachuk as an anytime score, +170. For Florida, we like Sam Bennett to stay hot, so put him down for a goal, at +260. In addition, we like the under of total goals at 6.5, which is carrying odds of -115. If we combine these three into a parlay, according to
Fanduel’s books, that totals the line at +3117. You can’t go wrong.
Main Photo: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports
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