The Tampa Bay Lightning host the Ottawa Senators for a season opener on Thursday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+.

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As teams hit the ice for the start of the NHL season, here’s who we predict will emerge victorious in Thursday’s action.

Lightning vs. Senators Predictions for Thursday

Our computer projection model for this game expects a final score of Lightning 4, Senators 2.

Moneyline Pick: Lightning (-159)
Total Pick: No Pick – Predicted Margin Negligible
Spread Pick: Lightning (-1.5)

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Lightning Splits and Trends

The Lightning were 47-27-8 overall and 6-8-14 in overtime matchups last season.
Tampa Bay picked up 21 points (8-9-5) in the 22 games it played that were decided by one goal.
In the nine games last season the Lightning recorded only one goal, they finished 0-8-1.
Tampa Bay finished 2-11-3 in the 16 games last season when it scored exactly two goals (registering seven points).
The Lightning scored more than two goals 58 times, and went 46-8-4 in those games (to record 96 points).
In the 33 games when Tampa Bay recorded a lone power-play goal, it went 22-10-1 to register 45 points.
In the 43 games when it outshot its opponent, Tampa Bay was 25-18-0 (50 points).
The Lightning were outshot by their opponent in 40 games, going 22-10-8 to record 52 points.
Senators Splits and Trends

The Senators put up a record of 11-9-20 in overtime contests last season as part of an overall mark of 45-30-7.
Ottawa picked up 51 points (22-6-7) in its 35 games decided by one goal.
Last season the Senators scored only one goal in nine games, and they lost every time.
Ottawa picked up 15 points (6-13-3 record) last season when scoring exactly two goals .
The Senators picked up 86 points in their 50 games when they scored three or more goals.
Ottawa scored a single power-play goal in 30 games last season and recorded 36 points.
When outshooting its opponent last season, Ottawa was 21-14-3 (45 points).
The Senators were outshot by their opponents 43 times last season, and took 52 points from those games.

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Team Stats Comparison (2024-25)

Lightning vs. Senators Game Time and TV Channel

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