The schedule for Monday is extremely light, so our NHL Predictions will focus on the Ottawa Senators and Columbus Blue Jackets matchup. Last Word On Hockey is dedicated to bringing you a thorough analysis of every game, every night. There is just one game to spotlight tonight, but be sure to check back daily for predictions of every game on the schedule.
NHL Predictions
Ottawa Senators vs Colombus Blue Jackets
Head-to-Head: Senators 1 – 1 Blue Jackets
The Senators and Blue Jackets will wrap up their three-game season series on Monday. The Senators are at the bottom of the Atlantic Division. Ottawa has been in rough shape pretty much all season, including their meagre three wins in the past 12 games. Brady Tkachuk racked up 19 penalty minutes in the team’s last game.
Ottawa lost Thomas Chabot to a lower-body injury on Saturday, so they will be without him for today’s game. The newly minted netminder Marcus Hogberg will likely be in the crease. After 20 games, he’s earned a .908 save percentage.
The Senators aren’t battling particularly hard for any postseason position. They’ve pretty much accepted their fate and are looking into the hopefully brighter future. At this point, if no one takes a skate to the neck, Ottawa won’t call this year a total bust.
On the other side of the ice, the Blue Jackets are looking to snap their eight-game losing streak. They’re looking to creep back into a wildcard spot. Despite the team’s underwhelming play as of late, they’re hoping to shake off the bad luck.
One bright spot for Colombus came on Sunday when they activated netminder Joonas Korpisalo from the injured reserve. In his 32 games prior to the injury, he registered a .913 save percentage. The club has had amazing luck with Elvis Merzlikins between the pipes, but anything in front of him has been a total flop.
Pierre-Luc Dubois leads the team with 44 points this season. Oliver Bjorkstrand has 21 goals so far, and defenceman Zach Werenski is hot on his heels with 18. This team still has some fight left in them. Someone has to come out on top. It will likely be Columbus.
Prediction: 3-1, Blue Jackets.
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