The Ottawa Senators are set to face the Nashville Predators on February 3, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. ET at Bridgestone Arena. The Senators are entering this matchup on a four-game winning streak, including a dominant 6-0 victory over the Minnesota Wild in their most recent game.
First Period Outcome Prediction:
Given the Senators’ recent offensive surge, it’s plausible they will carry momentum into the first period. However, playing on the road against a Predators team eager to rebound could result in a tightly contested opening frame. A 1-1 scoreline after the first period seems probable.
BET: 1st PERIOD OVER 1.5 Goals at -115
Total Goals Prediction:
The over/under for this game is set at 5.5 goals. Considering Ottawa’s recent offensive output and Nashville’s struggles, the total goals could surpass this mark. A final tally of around 6 goals is anticipated
Most Probable Final Exact Score:
Analysts have projected a 4-2 victory for the Senators, reflecting their current form and the Predators’ challenges.
Best Bets:
- Moneyline: Betting on the Senators to win could be advantageous, given their recent performance and favorable odds. sportskeeda.com
- Over 5.5 Goals: Considering both teams’ recent games, wagering on the total goals exceeding 5.5 is a reasonable choice. sportskeeda.com
Best Proposition Bets:
- First Period Over 1.5 Goals: Given both teams’ offensive capabilities and defensive vulnerabilities, the first period could see multiple goals.
Most Probable Final Exact Score:
Analysts have projected a 4-2 victory for the Senators, reflecting their current form and the Predators’ challenges.
RECENT TRENDS
| Ottawa Senators | Under is 5-1-2 in OTT last 8 vs. Central. Under is 35-13-3 in OTT last 51 road games. OTT are 7-3 in their last 10 Mon. games. |
| Nashville Predators | NAS are 1-10 in their last 11 vs. Atlantic. NAS are 1-9 in their last 10 Mon. games. Under is 21-7 in NAS last 28 vs. Atlantic. |
| Head to Head | OTT are 1-8 in the last 9 meetings in Nashville. Under is 7-1 in the last 8 meetings. |
PREVIEW
The Ottawa Senators’ recent offensive surge couldn’t come at a better time as they aim to generate much-needed scoring on the road.
It also has the potential to deepen the struggles of the Nashville Predators, who have dropped three straight ahead of Monday’s matchup against a red-hot Senators squad riding a four-game winning streak.
Ottawa just wrapped up a flawless four-game homestand, outscoring opponents 16-6. Eleven of those goals came in the last two contests, punctuated by a dominant 6-0 victory over Minnesota on Saturday.
Defenseman Jake Sanderson contributed a goal and three assists in that game, while Tim Stützle, Drake Batherson, and Brady Tkachuk combined for three goals and five assists. The Senators capitalized with three power-play goals in the third period and added their fourth shorthanded tally in three games.
“(The win) gives us, obviously, a lot of confidence,” said Stützle, who also took a cut to the head following a questionable takedown by Minnesota’s Ryan Hartman. “We know every game is big for us right now. We’ve just got to keep chipping away.”
Since Jan. 9, Ottawa has gone 9-2-1 and is currently in position to snap a seven-year playoff drought.
“We haven’t accomplished anything yet,” Stützle added. “We want to go further and keep playing the way we’ve been playing.”
Now, the focus shifts to improving their road performance. Before their successful homestand, the Senators suffered back-to-back shutout losses—5-0 to the New York Rangers and 2-0 to Boston. However, before that, they had won three straight away games.
Stützle, who has seven points (two goals, five assists) during Ottawa’s winning streak, tallied two assists in a 3-1 victory over Nashville on Dec. 7.
The Predators, meanwhile, saw their four-game home winning streak snapped in last Wednesday’s 3-1 loss to Vancouver. That defeat was part of Nashville’s ongoing four-game skid, which followed a season-best five-game winning streak.
Juuse Saros made 33 saves on Saturday, but the Predators managed just 25 shots on goal in a 3-0 shutout loss at Pittsburgh.
“We’re obviously in a funk here,” said Nashville’s Steven Stamkos, who has been held off the scoresheet in his last four games. “We’ve just got to try to get some mojo back and start feeling better about our game—have a little more confidence with the puck.”
Top scorer Filip Forsberg (18 goals, 31 assists) has gone three straight games without a point, while Nashville has managed just six total goals during its four-game slump.
Saros (2.84 GAA) has lost three consecutive starts, and backup Justus Annunen has allowed nine goals over his last two outings.
Meanwhile, Ottawa rookie Leevi Meriläinen (1.99 GAA) turned aside all 16 shots he faced Saturday, earning his third shutout in 11 starts this season. He could get the nod over Anton Forsberg, who has stopped 49 of 51 shots in his last two road starts.
The Senators may also see the return of goaltender Linus Ullmark, sidelined with a back injury since Dec. 22. Ullmark boasts an impressive 7-1-0 record with a 1.08 GAA and .963 save percentage in his last eight starts.
Sanderson has been on a tear with two goals and six assists in his last four games.
For Nashville, center Tommy Novak has registered two goals and three assists in his last three home appearances.
