As the Minnesota Wild visit the Ottawa Senators, this is in the midst of one of the Sens toughest stretches of the season, but it is their longest homestand (five games). Welcome back to NHL Predictions as we break down key storylines, statistics, and analysis to try to decipher how this one will play out. Will Ottawa be able to continue its push towards the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at home, or will the Wild play spoiler from their perch, already comfortably in the Central Division top three for some time?

NHL Predictions with Senators and Wild

Season Series: Wild 1 – 0

Puck Drop: 1:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)

How to Watch: TVAS, TSN5, FDSNNO, FDSNWIX

Location: The cozy confines of the Canadian Tire Centre, live from the capital region of Canada in Kanata, Ontario.

We do like the perspective of one Rick Bowness. The Stanley Cup Playoffs are already here for so many teams. Interestingly enough, that is relevant to this game, as both teams think about that comment in a totally different light. Minnesota is pretty set in their opening round playoff matchup. However, Ottawa is full entrenched in their playoff run. If they can make it in, games like this will be to thanks.

Credit Image: © Alex Cave/ZUMA Press Wire

The Sens and Wild Have an Unlikely Rivalry

The first game of this matchup in 2025-26 was the epitome of the Sens season, if it ends with them not making the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Moreover, there are a couple other examples. There was a Steven Stamkos hat trick that completed the 3-0 comeback by the Nashville Predators. There was also the incident where Anders Lee pick-pocketed Jordan Spence early in the season, for a late New York Islander win.

Of course, when Joel Eriksson Ek scored late in their only other meeting this season, that game was a dagger. It also added to the pressure that had been placed on young back up Leevi Merilainen. A season that Merilainen will need to bounce from the next time he gets a shot in the NHL. It remains unclear if general manager Steve Staios explores other options as his backup in 2026-27. It is possible he runs it back, in hopes that the year of added professional experience for Merilainen pays off in spades. To be determined.

Adding more intrigue to this matchup, is that Ryan Hartman has been hot lately. We think there will be fights if this game gets out of hand. However, the Senators need discipline and the two points, and unfortunately, are depleted by injuries. As a note, Ridly Greig and Hartman squared off for a classic tilt at the second intermission of the clubs’ first meeting this year.

Ottawa’s Injury Woes

Tyler Kleven is one of their toughest players, and we don’t expect him back for a little bit. He took at puck to the face against the Buffalo Sabres, and didn’t return. At the very least, it doesn’t sound like he will be back this weekend.

Jake Sanderson‘s return is imminent, but not confirmed. Moreover, the Sens have already used 12 different defencemen since the Olympic break, and we wonder if that will grow. From their opening night lineup, only Artem Zub finished Thursday’s game.

The other problem was that Carter Yakemchuk was put on concussion protocol. He will also miss some time. Therefore, even if Cameron Crotty makes just his second NHL appearance in 2025-26, there is no guarantee there won’t be a new name in that sixth spot. Dennis Gilbert, Thomas Chabot, and Nick Jensen are all known to be out with extended timetables.

However, the forward group has been healthy, and they are very strong league-wide at the matchup game. That should eliminate one of the Wild advantages, as they have similarly a deep forward group. For Ottawa, this is chance at revenge against former winger sniper Vladimir Tarasenko.

As we enter play today, the second Eastern Conference Wild Card and third spot in the Metropolitan Division couldn’t be much closer. The Islanders are free and clear in third in the Metropolitan Division with 89 points and five games remaining. However, four teams are hot on their heels with 88 points. Ottawa is good shape, because they have seven games remaining and 33 regulation wins. The problem is this current stretch they are in.

They play the Metro leading Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday, Then, they have rematches against the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers. Even their next game after that is against the Isles. Things are so tight, we only expect the Sens can relinquish two games until the end of the season. Bucket up.

The Goaltenders

The goalies are a talented pair of competitors. Linus Ullmark is expected to go up against former Sen Filip Gustavsson. Gustavsson has a season save percentage of .910, while Ullmark is at .887. This is offset slightly as shots on goal allowed, Ottawa is third at 24.3 and the Wild are 27th at 29.7. Ullark has 24 wins on the season, to Gustavsson’s slightly better 27. All-in-all, the goaltending is very close.

However, it is a great time for our disclaimer. Please check social media prior to puck drop, to see definitely who gets the nod, before setting your fantasy roster for the day.

The bigger problem is that even though Quinn Hughes was a member of the Wild in their previous matchup, he didn’t lace up in the first meeting of the season. Now with Ottawa’s injuries to the blueline, they will be in trouble. In any case, defensively, we must give the Wild a slight edge.

NHL Predictions

Ottawa is at home, will be ready for Minnesota based on previous matchups, and is playing with urgency. It’s time for them to prove, if they want to be the best, they need to beat the best.

Prediction: Ottawa 4 – Minnesota 1 

Prop Bets

For our classic anytime goal scorers, we are taking Hartman with four in last three. We like Tim Stutzle to find the back of the net.

Main Photo Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images

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