Welcome back to another edition NHL Predictions on this, the first day of November 2024. Each day our writers here at Last Word on Hockey take a look at the games, breaking down the key matchups and providing relevant analysis to how they might play out. Today we feature the Ottawa Senators as they travel to the Big Apple to take on the New York Rangers. Don’t forget to check out all the action, as our writers continue our NHL predictions throughout the 2024-25 season.
NHL Predictions
Ottawa Senators at New York Rangers, from Madison Square Garden
Time: 7:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: TSN5, RDS2, ESPN+
2023-24 Regular Season Series Ottawa lost (1-2)
The Grind Is Real for the Ottawa Senators Still Early On in 2024-25
For Ottawa, it has to be a bit taxing. They were on a three-game Western Conference trip only to go back home and then off to New York. Combine that with the quality of opponents, and the Sens know they’re in battle for their playoffs lives probably for all 82 games.
A couple players come into this game for Ottawa playing well thus far. Drake Batherson currently has a five-game point streak going. Over those five games, he has four goals and five assists. Moreover, his line of Joshua Norris and Claude Giroux has been a pleasant surprise for the Senators. As a line, they have played over 58 minutes on ice together, and have outscored opponents 4-2 in that time. Look for them to continue their strong play.
Another player playing well for Ottawa thus far is their leader in points. Tim Stutzle paces the club with 14 points through nine games played. Furthermore, Batherson and he are apart of a collection of Sens that have been extremely efficient. The Sens have six players with four or more goals right now. Along with the two mentioned, Giroux, Norris, Brady Tkachuk, and Adam Gaudette make up the six of them. Of that group, only Brady Tkachuk has a shooting percentage below 26.3%. Not that that is sustainable, but it quite remarkable nonetheless.
What’s the Story on the New York Rangers
The Rangers will look to one of their most skilled players to get it going against the Sens. In fact, this player was a first-round pick by Ottawa way back in 2011. Mika Zibanejad played his first 281 NHL games with the Ottawa Senators. Now if we look at this season, Zibanejad could use a spark. He only has one assist total in the last three games. Look for him to use this game against the Sens as motivation to get fired up.
One player who is playing well recently for the Rangers is Filip Chytil. His five points in his last four games are a product of his success. Furthermore, the Rangers need offence from multiple sources if they are to be the type of competitive team they expect themselves to be. If guys like Zibanejad can get going, along with Chytil’s line, that makes the Rangers a much more complete team.
NHL Predictions: Rangers and Senators
This is a matchup for Ottawa to prove that they can get in the ring with the big boys. It will be interesting to see if Ottawa can matchup with the Rangers skill. Therefore, a win in a game like this will help to cement themselves as a playoff calibre team.
Unfortunately, for the Sens, they are fighting an uphill battle. If we compare one important stat to understand the two teams’ effectiveness, we can compare expected goal differential. The Rangers sit at seventh at 3.86. Meanwhile, the Senators are little further down the list in 18th with a value of -0.59.
The starting goaltenders features the preemptive matchups in all of the Eastern Conference. They two goalies who are facing off have captured two of the last three Vezina Trophies. Linus Ullmark goes for the Sens, as he will face Igor Sheshterkin. Ullmark has been very good in his wins, but not so strong in his losses. If the team in front of him is playing like a team, it definitely goes a long way. In contrast, Sheshterkin has been fairly sharp, along with his 4-2-1 record, he has a .923 SV%. Give the edge to Sheshterkin, but if Ullmark is on, the advantage will not be significant in the game’s outcome.
Prediction: Rangers win in regulation, 2-1.
According to Fanduel, if we want to look at adding some extra excitement to the action, check out these picks. First of all, given the quality of goaltenders, we like the under 6.5 total goals, paying out at -122. In a tight, low-scoring affair, look for the big time players showing up. Alexis Lafreniere knows a hot start to 2024-25 could help his case as a pick for Team Canada. Take up as the opening goal scorer tonight, paying a very cool +1500. As for a Sen anytime scorer, go with the newest addition to the top line. Ridly Greig checks in at +470.
Main Photo: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
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