Welcome to another Ottawa Senators edition of NHL Predictions with us here at Last Word On Hockey, as the Sens kick-start their western road trip against the Anaheim Ducks. Check out our statistical breakdown, analysis, storylines, and predictions for not just this one, but games all season long. Find out if we think the Sens can start their road trip off right or if Anaheim can continue to show they are mighty on the nightly. All righty…

NHL Predictions with the Senators Visiting the Ducks

2024-25 Season Series –  Ottawa 1-0-1

Start Time: 10:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)

How to Watch: RDS, TSN5, Victory+

Location: Honda Center in Anaheim, California

There is an interesting stat heading into this road trip. If we take the combined record of the Sens on the road against the six teams they’ll face, their total record is 5-16-3 in the last four years. Furthermore, a couple of these teams, like the Sharks or Ducks, weren’t exactly contenders during that time. They were more like the bottom-dwellers that allowed them to draft the likes of Leo Carlsson or Macklin Celebrini. Now, playing under head coach Joel Quenneville, the Ducks find themselves leading the NHL’s Pacific Division. The Ducks boast a 13-6-1, they’ll put Petr Mrazek and his 3-1-0 record on the line. Meanwhile, Linus Ullmark‘s 6-5-4, a d the Sens who are 9-6-4 overall good for fifth in the Atlantic, will be their counter. We will add our disclaimer, to be sure to check social media for the very latest roster updates before locking in your daily fantasy lineups.

Looking at It From the Ducks Perspective

What can we say about the Ducks in 2025-26, they fly together? Offensively they do just that, at 3.63 goals-for-per-game, they are ranked second in the entire NHL. As a comparison, that is something the Sens do well, too. The Sens are ranked eighth at 3.26 GF/GP.

Cutter Gauthier is a great example of why Anaheim is so successful this year. Their youthful movement is really coming into their own. He’s currently leading the team in goals (12) and second in points (23). Furthermore, he helps the Ducks top end have a sustained attack. It will be interesting to see if he, and others, too, can maintain their solid play. Teams are hitting the quarter-way mark, and the questions become, can early season trends become teams’ identity.

What’s the Story for Ottawa

Stephen Halliday and Lassi Thomson were brought on the trip. The news on Wednesday was that Halliday is expected to make his NHL debut against the Ducks. Needless to say, very exciting times, not just individually, but from an organizational standpoint. Halliday remains one of the Sens top prospects. The reason is that Lars Eller isn’t anticipated to play.

Brady Tkachuk skated with the main group at practice yesterday, but in the red jersey. Also, Thomas Chabot skated after the main practice, and the Sens are hopeful he’s not too long from returning, as well. Tkachuk suggested his return is slated for somewhere around American Thanksgiving timetable.

The Sens penalty kill has been bad overall on the season, but improving. Their 31st ranked PK is a result of being inflated from the first four games, when they allowed goals on 8 of 17 opportunities. What’s been more problematic of late, in terms of special teams, has been the power play. Since the 7-2 win against Boston in October, when they were 4/5 on the man advantage, they haven’t been good enough. Moreover, they’ve only scored once in 23 opportunities. It’s probably more of a surprise they remain as high as they do. They’re currently 11th at 23.3% overall. Compared against the Ducks, who sit tied for 14th at 21.4%.

NHL Predictions

We think head coach Travis Green plans for a disciplined, defensive game plan for the Sens. Furthermore, the Ducks have the speed and talent to be able to counter, with a similar game of their own. Look for this one to be low scoring, and we do have the Ducks prevailing.

Prediction: Senators 1 – Ducks 2

Prop Bets

In terms of prop bets, we like Leo Carlsson to hit the scoresheet. For the Sens, let’s go with Shane Pinto.

Main Photo Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images

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