Welcome to NHL Predictions presented by us here at Last Word on Hockey! Today, we feature the Ottawa Senators as the Anaheim Ducks fly north for a visit. As this is a Senators edition of our daily feature, let’s focus on some of their keys specifically to victory. Of course, playing the Ducks will greatly influence those keys as we shall see. This game also is a rematch of sorts. The two teams met on December 1st, with the Ducks squeaking out a 4-3 shootout victory. There are some similarities with the two clubs, so let’s dig in and see who will emerge victorious tonight.
NHL Predictions Anaheim Ducks at Ottawa Senators
Start Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time
TV Coverage: Sportsnet, TVA Sports, ESPN+
It is interesting, that despite these two teams being relatively close to one another in terms of points in the standings, their divisional ranking is much different. The Ducks are 10-12-4, or 24 points in 26 games. Meanwhile, the Sens are 12-13-2, or 26 points in 27 games played, which is good for fifth in the Atlantic Division. However, the Ducks find themselves in the basement of the NHL’s Pacific Division. The Ducks recently shook things up by adding Jacob Trouba, could a similar shakeup be coming in Ottawa given their inability to get over the hump?
Looking At Some of the Same Between Ducks and Sens
The Ducks, with head coach Greg Cronin at the helm, have struggled to produce offensively with any consistency. There are rumblings that the dressing room isn’t overly positive. Furthermore, we have seen other clubs taking initiative and making the easy move of letting their bench boss go. Luke Richardson with the Chicago Blackhawks or Jim Montgomery of the Boston Bruins come to mind. In contrast, Cronin has been able to get his team playing well defensively. Given their defensive structure and their ability to prevent, makes them a difficult opponent for the Senators.
It is expected that the Senators go with Linus Ullmark in net. And why not eh? In his last four starts he’s been on fire going 3-0-1. He’s stopped 123 of 131 shots on goal, good for a .939 save percentage. If we look across the rink, we find the Ducks going with John Gibson. Gibson’s numbers have been all right on the season, and are actually better than Ullmark’s overall. Gibson has a .909 SV% and 2.76 GAA through eight games. Moreover, Ullmark has been the busier, with 17 games to his credit, but not so good with an .898 SV% and a 2.81 GAA. But as we mentioned, Ullmark is trending positively.
The Potential Gamebreakers and otherwise Difference Makers
Troy Terry is coming off a two-goal performance. Albeit in a losing effort, as the Montreal Canadiens beat Anaheim in its last game, 3-2 via the shootout. Overall he has six points in the last five games, so he has been hot.
For the Sens, their hot players have remained consistent. Tim Stutzle, Joshua Norris, and Drake Batherson all come to mind, and help to spread the production over the top six. It’s the bottom six that needs to pick it up. If they do, expect Ottawa to really takeoff. Something they have failed to do as of yet in 2024-25.
Looking at the specialty teams, Ottawa holds a distinct edge on the power play. At 25.8% efficiency, they are currently sixth best in the NHL. Meanwhile, Anaheim is 29th at 15.8%. On the other hand, their penalty kills are eerily similar, at 25th and 26th rank, for Anaheim and Ottawa, respectively.
NHL Predictions: Ducks and Senators
Here’s why we like the Sens tonight. Mostly because they almost just recently beat Anaheim on the road. Ottawa at home is a strong team.
Prediction: Ottawa wins in regulation, 4-2.
According to Fanduel, if we want to look at adding some friendly wagers on the outcomes as part of our NHL Predictions, check these out. We like rolling the dice on four-leg, same-game parlays. So our example from tonight Ottawa moneyline, and Terry, Stutzle, and Norris as any time scorers. Check out the link above for the latest odds.
Main Photo: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
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The post NHL Predictions Senators Edition Anaheim Ducks at Ottawa December 11th appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.