{"id":482271,"date":"2026-01-18T09:32:02","date_gmt":"2026-01-18T14:32:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=482271"},"modified":"2026-01-18T09:32:02","modified_gmt":"2026-01-18T14:32:02","slug":"nhl-predictions-ottawa-senators-edition-detroit-red-wings-sunday-supper-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2026\/01\/18\/nhl-predictions-ottawa-senators-edition-detroit-red-wings-sunday-supper-time\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Predictions Sunday Senators Edition with Ottawa at Detroit Red Wings"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome to the second half of a back-to-back of Senators<\/a> edition of NHL Predictions as Ottawa is visiting the Detroit Red Wings<\/a>. With the Atlantic Division so tight, every point between divisional matchups are crucial. Unfortunately for Ottawa, that is amplified after last night’s disappointing outcome. So, let’s figure out what it all means.<\/p>\n

NHL Predictions Red Wings and Senators<\/h2>\n
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Season Series: <\/strong>The two teams met less than two weeks ago, in a 5-3 Detroit away win. The two teams play a further two games by March 24th.<\/p>\n

Puck Drop:<\/strong> 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)<\/p>\n

How to Watch<\/a>: RDS2, TSN5, FDSNDET<\/span><\/h3>\n

Location:<\/strong> Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan<\/span><\/p>\n

Just like last night’s game against the Montreal Canadiens<\/a>, this is a huge swing game in the Atlantic Division standings. As we stand, Detroit is stronger in the divisional standings. Meanwhile, Ottawa’s goaltending seems to let them down far too often. They feel like they need the two points in regulation today. At 22-19-6, Ottawa finds themselves still in eighth in the division. Meanwhile, Detroit enters plays in second at 29-16-4.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

It was really sounding like, and based on the goaltending yesterday, you could see why, but that the Sens would be going with James Reimer<\/a> in today’s contest. You could also look at it that Leevi Merilainen<\/a>‘s confidence is definitely shaken, right now, but he mostly just needs some rest. As a young goaltender in the league, rarely are guys thrown into a lot of games early in their career. They have to develop and build to a bigger number of games. In the past 22 days, Merilainen has played 11 games. So for now, Ottawa can put in someone with tons of experience, to try to calm things down.<\/p>\n

John Gibson is the expected starter in Detroit’s end. He carries a solid 18-9-1 record.<\/p>\n

The Growing Rivalry between the Two Sides<\/h3>\n

This matchup has been trying to grow into a rivalry, like others we mentioned in yesterday’s predictions article. The expected starter for the Sens, Reimer, was a big part to the other side of it. You may recall from the fall of 2023, in an iconic goal from Tim Stutzle<\/a> batting the puck out of mid-air with only seconds to go in overtime, Ottawa beat Detroit in a Global Series NHL game from Stockholm, Sweden. There have been other pieces building the rivalry, such as the players. Guys like Alex DeBrincat<\/a>, David Perron<\/a>, Jacob Bernard-Docker<\/a>, and even Cam Talbot<\/a> featured on the other side of the matchup within that past couple years. Plus the fact that Detroit has been able to emerge in the Atlantic Division this year, both teams have lots to prove to one another.<\/p>\n