{"id":520033,"date":"2026-03-24T12:19:19","date_gmt":"2026-03-24T12:19:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/520033\/"},"modified":"2026-03-24T12:19:19","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T12:19:19","slug":"sens-edition-vs-wings-with-valuable-points-on-the-line","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/520033\/","title":{"rendered":"Sens Edition vs Wings with Valuable Points On the Line"},"content":{"rendered":"

Regardless of how 2025-26 turns out for\u00a0the Ottawa Senators<\/a>, or the Detroit Red Wings<\/a> for that matter, tonight\u2019s matchup is one of the most important on their respective schedules. This is NHL Predictions with us here at Last Word On Hockey. Find out our thoughts through storylines and statistics, on this one plays out.<\/p>\n

NHL Predictions, with Red Wings and Senators<\/p>\n

Season Series:\u00a0The fourth and final meeting, with Detroit having taken all three previous matchups, two of them in overtime.<\/p>\n

Puck Drop: 7:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)<\/p>\n

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

Location: The Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan.<\/p>\n

Credit Image: \u00a9 Alex Cave\/ZUMA Press Wire<\/p>\n

Well we can\u2019t start without the biggest storyline in Ottawa right now<\/a>. After the game last night in New York, head coach Travis Green<\/a> did give some injury updates. He simply said that both defencemen Thomas Chabot<\/a> and Lassi Thomson<\/a> would be quote, \u201cout for a while.\u201d For those that follow the Sens closely, that was actually quite revealing for the usually tight-lipped Green.<\/p>\n

Senators coach Travis Green said Thomas Chabot (right arm) and Lassi Thomson (lower body) will both be out a while. That\u2019s all he said. They\u2019re already down Jake Sanderson, Nick Jensen and Dennis Gilbert on the blue line. They will recall two D tomorrow to play in Detroit.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) March 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

In any case, they would be unavailable for tonight\u2019s pivotal game versus Detroit. The Sens have already been without Jake Sanderson<\/a>, who has missed eight games. He is expected to miss about another week. For the Sens organization, it will be curious if top defensive prospect Carter Yakemchuk<\/a> is among those getting the call for tonight. So stay tuned.<\/p>\n

Wild Card Standings<\/p>\n

Team \u2013 GP \u2013 Pts \u2013 RW<\/p>\n

BOS \u2013 70 \u2013 86 \u2013 29
\nNYI \u2013 71 \u2013 85 \u2013 26
\nDET \u2013 70 \u2013 84 \u2013 27
\nOTT \u2013 70 \u2013 83 \u2013 31
\nPHI \u2013 69 \u2013 80 \u2013 21<\/p>\n

So, why is this game such a high-leverage event? For starters, Detroit and Ottawa find themselves one-two on the outside looking in on the Eastern Conference Stanley Cup Playoff Wild Card positions. They\u2019re essentially battling each other. Ottawa does have a slight advantage, as they have more regulation wins than their nearest competition. However, with 15 games on the NHL slate tonight, the playoff picture could look a heck of a lot different come tomorrow morning.<\/p>\n

The Storylines from Detroit<\/p>\n

The Detroit Red Wings are led by their offensive attackers. With the likes of Alex DeBrincat<\/a>, Patrick Kane<\/a>, and Lucas Raymond<\/a>, they have the speed and skill to strike fear in any opposing defences. DeBrincat leads the Wings in goals (35) and points (73). Meanwhile, Raymond paces Detroit in assists with an impressive total of 46. All three of the forwards are among the six Red Wings with 27 or more assists on the campaign.<\/p>\n

The Wings offence should be a nice litmus test for the Sens team who are great at mitigating offence. For example, the Sens limited the Rangers to a record-low only four shots on goal through two periods last night. That was with missing Chabot for the entire second period.<\/p>\n

A Positive Note for the Senators<\/p>\n

Warren Foegele<\/a> continues to prove his worth after coming over from the Los Angeles Kings<\/a>. He scored what would be the eventual game-winner last night versus the New York Rangers. In nine games as a Sen, he is up to five goals. Through 47 with the Kings in 2025-26, he had only scored seven. Hence, the trade has truly been mutually beneficial. Now, he is a two-time 20-goal scorer in the NHL, so perhaps the Sens unlocked that version of him.<\/p>\n

The Expected Starters<\/p>\n

We will say for Ottawa that their number-one goalie Linus Ullmark<\/a> gets the call tonight. Backup James Reimer<\/a> played last night, so Ullmark will play tonight. Ullmark comes in 22-10-7, with an .885 save percentage, a 2.77 goals-against average, and two shutouts. Detroit should counter with their big name, John Gibson<\/a>. His numbers are solid, as well. He is 26-16-3, with a 2.43 GAA, a .907 SV%, and has had four shutouts on the campaign.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

NHL Predictions<\/p>\n

This matchup seems to favour Detroit. The injuries, the season series, and the fact Ottawa played last night, all seem to point to a Wings advantage. However, despite the injuries, Ottawa is playing like a well-oiled machine. Since a four-game losing streak way back in January, Ottawa has been 17-5-4. In contrast, Detroit is 3-4-2 in their past nine. In fact, their play of late, is one reason Ottawa is optimistic on their own playoff outlook.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Red Wings 2 \u2013 Senators 3<\/p>\n

Prop Bets<\/p>\n

For our classic anytime goal scorers, we will go with Foegele and DeBrincat. Both have been hot of late, and we think they continue to drive their respective offences.<\/p>\n

Please play responsibly, check for your local rules and age restrictions; some jurisdictions require ages 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.<\/p>\n

Main Photo Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

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