Welcome to another edition of NHL Predictions presented by us here at Last Word on Hockey! Today, we feature the Ottawa Senators as the continue their strenuous nine-game road trip onto the Land of 10,000 Lakes and take on the Minnesota Wild. This is a good matchup of teams that can be difficult to beat on any given night, but for very different reasons. So let’s dive in and try to figure out who will emerge victorious.
NHL Predictions Ottawa Senators at Minnesota Wild from the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota
Start Time: 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV Coverage: TSN5, ESPN+, FDSNNOX, FDSNWI
The Minnesota Wild are 22-10-4 and among the class of the NHL’s Central Division. However, the Senators have been strong lately and are currently on a 8-3-0 stretch. The difficulty the Sens are having is injuries, in net. Both Linus Ullmark and Anton Forsberg are listed out as Leevi Merilainen is the expected starter. Meanwhile, Minnesota certainly isn’t excluded from the injury trouble as Kirill Kaprizov missed last game and is still listed day-to-day. Kaprizov has been rolling this year, with a pace of 120-plus points had he played 82 in 2024-25.
The Ottawa Senators Continue Road Trip with Void Between Pipes
What is Ottawa’s Story Based on Recent History
Ottawa comes into this one following a tough 4-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets yesterday. It wasn’t difficult in the sense of losing to a very solid Jet team, rather the fact they had a 2-0 lead, when Kyle Connor scored 12:46 of the second period to make the score 2-1. Moreover, this is just the continued struggles with a young group the head coach Travis Green is trying to get over the hump. Ottawa just needs to put this one in the rearview, as it had appeared they had done with their previous loss heading into the Jet game. However, after two straight losses for a team that has been hot, they would like to flip the script and put together some wins. As difficult as that can be playing on the road, it’s time to keep the wins coming.
One player that continues to be a pleasant surprise for the Senators is Adam Gaudette. Gaudette is seventh in team scoring with 13 goals and four assists. Moreover, he has done excellent is providing secondary offensive punch for the Senators. That is definitely something that has been lacking for a long time. Once the Sens get consistent depth contributions offensively, it will greatly improve their odds of success.
How About Them Wild
Minnesota is a strong team this year. They have a lot of players strong in offensive metrics, even as complete of an offensive measure of success as xGoals%. Matt Boldy, Joel Eriksson Ek, and Mats Zuccarello are each having strong seasons in their own rights.
One aspect of this matchup is that a reunion of sorts is Filip Gustavsson getting the call between the pipes for the Wild. Gustavsson came over to the Wild from the Sens in a 2022 trade for Cam Talbot. The Sens goaltending carousel has been in full effect including a shot for the Boston Bruins Joonas Korpisalo. For tonight’s matchup specifically putting a regular NHLer with a .922 save percentage on the season up against a goalie with four career games of NHL experience under his belt, we can easily see who has the advantage.
NHL Predictions: Wild and Senators
The Sens are the hotter of the two and really want a win after two-straight losses. If their goaltending can be sharp, they can wear down the Wild. The Sens high-end skill matches up well against Minnesota.
Prediction: Ottawa wins in regulation, 4-2.
For those interested in a prop bet, check this out. According to our score prediction, and picking Brady Tkachuk and Eriksson Ek as anytime scorers, you could see a bet payout over +2000.
Main Photo: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
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The post NHL Predictions December 29th Ottawa Senators at Minnesota Wild appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.