Welcome to this Saturday edition of NHL Predictions. Today, like everyday, we at Last Word on Hockey bring you our analysis of just how we foresee the matchup will shakedown. For this one, the Ottawa Senators look to snap their mini-two-game losing streak. Meanwhile, the New Jersey Devils are looking to find their way before the playoffs get going. Will Ottawa’s determination or the Devils talent prevail in this one?
NHL Predictions: Ottawa Senators at New Jersey Devils, from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey
Season Series: Tied 1 – 1
TV: SportsnetOne, TVAS2, MSGSN
7:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
This one kicks off a big, three-game Eastern Conference road trip for the Sens. Next up is the Buffalo Sabres on Monday, followed by the Detroit Red Wings Thursday. For New Jersey, they would love to get back on track. They have experienced a lull of late. In their last ten games, they are 5-5-0. However, they had won four out of five before be downed by the Calgary Flames their last time out. This one is so important for the playoff picture. The Devils are a little safer, as entering play on Saturday, they sit a full eight points ahead of their next closest Metropolitan Division rival. They currently sit third in the division. On the other hand, Ottawa is entrenched in the Eastern Conference Wild Card race. Between them and the Boston Bruins is only eight points, but five teams are sandwiched between, and only two playoff spots up for grabs. Ottawa needs to get back to its winning ways, and now.
Ottawa Looks to Get Back At Its Winning Ways
Head coach Travis Green is clearly taking things very seriously. He had the lines in the proverbial blender at Friday’s practice session. Moreover, Fabian Zetterlund was getting reps on the big unit, alongside Tim Stutzle and Brady Tkachuk. In Zetterlund, with his speed, skill, and toughness, he would seem to be the perfect complement for the line. Coach Green will do what it takes to quickly snap his team out of its tough week, after losing to the Avalanche and Canadiens, surrendering 11 goals in the two contests.
Some other noteworthy lines was that Claude Giroux teamed up with Shane Pinto and Ridly Greig. Since Zetterlund had been on the fourth line, Michael Amadio joined Adam Gaudette and Matthew Highmore on that line for the time being. Finally, the connection of Dylan Cozens and Drake Batherson remained together. Batherson is the hottest Sen, with six points over the club’s past five games.
An injury update is that Nick Jensen returned to the ice for Friday. He’s on the trip, so there is a good chance he gets into some action. However, knowing exactly when that will be, remains to be seen. Right now, Linus Ullmark is the expected starter. But like always, please check for the very latest lineup news and notes before locking in your fantasy rosters.
What Will a Trip to the New Jersey Turnpike Bring?
For this edition of NHL Predictions, the Devils are deciding to go with back-up Jake Allen between the pipes. His record isn’t great at 12-13-1, but his 2.53 GAA, .915 SV%, and four shutouts are impressive. Regardless of being a back-up or not, those numbers aren’t too shabby. However, with Dougie Hamilton and Jonas Siegenthaler out for the remainder of the regular season, it will be no cake walk for Jersey.
In terms of their snipers, one player who has been hot, has been Jesper Bratt. Since Jack Hughes has missed time with injury, Bratt has taken over the offensive crown for the Devils. As a note, Hughes has been shutdown for the season following shoulder surgery. Moreover, at 80 points, Bratt’s up to a ten-point lead over Hughes in team scoring (but yes, in eight more games played). However, he’s been exceptionally hot as of late, tallying ten points in just the last five games. The Sens will need to figure out how to neutralize the speedy Swede.
Overall on 2024-25, one player who would love to chip in more offensively is Dawson Mercer. His 15 goals and 13 assists are down from his past couple seasons. In 2022-23, he had 27 goals and 29 assists for 56 points. However, despite the lack of offensive production, his value has been there for the club in other ways. His ice time is way up over career averages, at 17:47 a game, up over 30 seconds more than last year. So, he’s definitely added an element of responsibility to his game this year. One that a playoff team like New Jersey is all to thankful to have in its domain.
NHL Predictions Sens and Devils
Finally, when we compare the two sides, New Jersey has the edge in more than just the standings. New Jersey is in the top five in the league in both special teams as well as goals-against per game. Meanwhile, those stats see Ottawa land in the middle of the pack. The hope for Ottawa is that their potentially new offensive lines can generate offence. Also, if Jensen works his way back in, that would be huge boost. Finally, if Ullmark can shake off a tough week and return to form, he has the ability to steal a game on any given Saturday.
Final Score: 4-2 Sens
For some parlay action on tonight’s game, consider the following. We like Drake Batherson paying +320 as an any time goal scorer. If we mix in Mercer for good measure, he is also +320. Combining that with Ottawa covering, as our score projects, and the payout is over +2200. Hey, that also sounds not to bad, even if we do say ourselves.
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Main Photo Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
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