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 on the first Saturday night of the regular season schedule. It features an all-Canadian matchup, two teams trying to prove they are for real. The Montreal Canadiens will take on their Atlantic Division rivals, the Ottawa Senators. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days as the 2024-25 season starts.
NHL Predictions
Ottawa Senators at Montreal Canadiens, from the Bell Centre
Time: 7:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: Sportsnet East, City TV, TVA Sports, ESPN+
2023-24 Regular Season Series: Ottawa won (2-0-1)
Ottawa is attempting to establish themselves as a clear contender for the final Eastern Conference playoff spots. However, much like Ottawa’s Thursday night victory against the Florida Panthers, Montreal has started 2024-25 on a mission as well. Montreal had a big 1-0 victory at home against the Toronto Maple Leafs. But that was only to be brought back to earth the following night by the Boston Bruins, 6-4.
Sens Looks to Ride Momentum After Victory Against Cup Champs
Ottawa got the big two points against Florida on Thursday. It may not seem like a big deal in October, but those are the types of points that are everything when tallying up the count in April. That’s why this is another big game. Ottawa is expected to go with Linus Ullmark between the pipes. And why not? After stopping 30 of 31 shots Florida fired his way, head coach Travis Green wants to ride the hot hand.
Upfront the Sens looked strong as well. Starting with the star of the show, Tim Stutzle. Stutzle’s two goals helped power the Sens to the win. No doubt he wants to start the season hot, along with linemate and captain Brady Tkachuk. Even their newcomers and depth players, like David Perron, who played well and was skating hard for the team.
Who’s the Hot Hands for the Habs?
Montreal should have their number one goaltender, Sam Montembeault, back in the net. That is after the backup, Cayden Primeau, saw the back-half of the back-to-back on Thursday night. Moreover, Montembeault was terrific on Wednesday night versus the Leafs stopping 48 shots en route to one of three shutouts around the league that night. Believe it or not, it was the first time the Leafs had been shutout going back to November of 2021. Montembeault may not get a lot of respect league-wide, but fans in Montreal know how dominant, and consistent as well, he can be for them. Some would have him in the conversation for Team Canada’s net for the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off tournament in February.
Also off to a hot start for the Canadiens in their first two games is Cole Caufield. Caufield, you may remember, decided to switch to number 13 in the offseason in order to honour his friend, the recently passed Johnny Gaudreau. Perhaps it is a way of the hockey gods watching over him. So far, of the Canadiens five goals, he has two of them, one of which was the game-winner versus Toronto. Montreal’s other young players are definitely playing with a little bit of that youthful exuberance. Names like Juraj Slafkovsky, Lane Hutson, and Kaiden Guhle come to mind. Ottawa will need to figure out how to frustrate these young players and ultimately wear them down. If they can’t do that, it might be a shootout at the Bell Centre Saturday night.
NHL Predictions: The Senators and Canadiens Battle on Saturday Night
Guess what? We still haven’t mentioned Ridly Greig or Arber Xhekaj. It will be interesting if the Sens go with a tougher lineup, such as inserting Zack MacEwen in for Adam Gaudette. These two teams have an intense rivalry brewing, and don’t be surprised if things boil over on Saturday. When the dust settles, look for Ottawa to prevail.
Prediction: Senators win in regulation, 3-2.
When it comes to some bets to add to your viewing entertainment, we like Brady Tkachuk as an anytime score and when paired with a Sens victory as we are predicting, it’s at +255 according to Fanduel’s books. Meanwhile, look for Caufield to keep it going, so mark him down at +180 as an anytime goal scorer.
Battle of Ontario now playing second fiddle to Ottawa Senators rivalry with Montreal Canadiens https://t.co/SgA1TCcFqM via @ottawacitizen
— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) October 11, 2024
Main Photo: Marc DesRosiers – USA TODAY Sports
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