Today’s NHL Predictions with us here at Last Word On Hockey sees the Colorado Avalanche at the Ottawa Senators. This is an interesting matchup as both teams have identical 11-6-2 records. For Ottawa, it is one of their best starts in franchise history. In contrast, for Colorado, they find themselves in third place in the Central Division. They are no strangers to dominant starts to their seasons, especially in recent years. However, what is a bit of uncharted territory for the Avs is that they are already six points behind the powerhouse Minnesota Wild, although Colorado does have one game in hand. In any case, it shall be a high-flying, attacking kind of game tonight. Do we need to say it? Because you are about to get sensational.
Head-to-Head History and Game Details
These teams last saw each other last January. It was a strange time for both teams. Colorado was experiencing a bit of a mid-season low, as they had slowed from their torrent pace and had also been hit by the injury bug. But you wouldn’t have known it from their game, as they had a decided 8-2 victory in Denver, Colorado. That ended up as a turning point game of sorts for the Sens crease, as Mads Sogaard allowed five goals in what would become his second-to-last game ever for the Ottawa Senators. However, in the rematch game, which came about three weeks later in Ottawa, it was newly signed James Reimer‘s fifth game for the Sens. Reimer stopped 16 of 18 shots, en route to the 5-2 revenge victory. So what we can take away from this is to expect head coach Travis Green to focus on getting his guys to protect his goalie defensively, and the shooters, for both sides, will need to be finishing their chances.
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Tonight’s game will be at the normal 7:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time for an Ottawa Senators home game, live from the Canadian Tire Centre.
How to Watch Senators vs Avalanche
US TV: ALT, ESPN+ || Canada TV: RDS2, TSN5, Sportsnet+, and available wherever you are on the NHL Center Ice Package.
April 11, 2025; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators right wing Claude Giroux (28) celebrates a goal scored by centre Dylan Cozens (24) in the first period against the Montreal Canadiens at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
Team Storylines
Ottawa Needs to Keep Getting Points
Ridly Greig scored a beautiful goal last game versus the Washington Capitals. He had missed a couple games, so it was great to get him back on track. In fact, it might even be necessary for the Sens and their offensive depth.
Furthermore, the Sens would probably be wise to not get into a special team battle. They have the 31st ranked power play at 12.7 percent, compared to Colorado in 13th at 22.6 percent.
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But in that same breath, if Ottawa does find themselves on the man power advantage, they do need to figure it out. They have plenty of big guns, and those guys need to get scoring. It just seems like something small. Keeping it simple with Jake Sanderson blasting away from the point would help. However, they need one of the forwards to step up in the shooter role, too. Whether that is Dylan Cozens or Tim Stutzle, but whoever it is, it does seem like a missing element on the power play right now.
The Sens Keys to the Game
Ottawa needs to look at clogging up the middle of the ice with their centres doing their job. This will allow their wingers to be the difference makers they need them to be, which is important that they do it.
Colorado Story for NHL Predictions
It is difficult to talk about the Avalanche, without mentioning that Colorado is a wagon. Their three headed monster of Nathan MacKinnon, Martin Necas, and Cale Makar are all comfortably above a point-per-game as we approach the quarter point of the season across the NHL. Also, the other forward on the line with Necas and MacKinnon, Artturi Lehkonen has an impressive 13 goals in 19 games. You almost need to game plan for them scoring, and hope you can gain the advantage, despite their expected offensive contribution. Another player who continues to get it done is 36-year-old Nazem Kadri. Kadri has five goals and 10 assists for 15 points through 19 games.
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One other player that Sen fans will keep an eye on is former Sen, Parker Kelly. After a solid 2025-26 season, he really established himself as a threat from the fourth line. Ottawa will have to be weary when the fourth line is on the ice. Kelly is already at eight points in 19 games, that is after a career-best 2025-26 season. He exploded in Colorado with 21 goals, 14 assists, for 35 points in 82 games, while only averaging 12:42 of ice time. Sen fans were left wondering where that production was in Ottawa, where his previous career high in goals was eight.
Colorado’s Keys to the Game
Colorado will look to wheel and deal, and they would like to think that they can win a shootout with the Sens, given their offensive firepower. That is aided with excellent veteran leadership throughout the lineup, to help keep people accountable.
The Goaltending Story
Well all the talk yesterday on the Sens was on the Nick Cousins injury which resulted from the big Jakob Chychrun hit. However, we do think that this is the game that Linus Ullmark makes his return. At this time, he has been the goaltender of record (7-1-0) in less than half of the Sens games, which is a concerning thing for Sen fans. However, his amazing 1.33 goals-against average and .945 save percentage is a major source of big picture optimism for everyone involved with the Sens organization.
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It is expected that Mackenzie Blackwood gets the call at the other end, to put his 10-3-1 record on the line. The Thunder Bay native has been steady with a 2.63 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage.
Final Projected Score
We think with Ottawa’s tough defensive game, boosted with Ullmark between the pipes, they are able to overcome a little bit of offence from Colorado’s top guns.
Projected score: Senators win 3-2
Projected lineups and starting goaltenders are based on available information at the time of writing, and neither team had confirmed its starter. Please check official team sources prior to locking in your daily fantasy lineups.
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Main Photo Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
Oct 10, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Members of the Colorado Avalanche celebrate a goal scored on the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
