Makes no Sens to bet against Preds
There’s no getting around the fact that the Senators have been the most disappointing team in the NHL this season.
Loaded with young talent after years of rebuilding, the Sens have spent the last two years adding veteran difference-makers to their lineup to end a painful playoff drought and put some pressure on the Eastern Conference heavyweights. Instead of taking the expected step forward, Ottawa has taken a massive step backwards and currently finds itself in last place in the Eastern Conference.
What’s most concerning for the Sens is that there’s no quick solution to their problems. There’s plenty of talent on this roster, but they just keep finding ways to lose. Whether it be through bad goaltending, mental lapses or defensive breakdowns, it seems like Ottawa can lose a game in a variety of fashions. In a lot of ways the Predators are everything the Sens wanted to be this season. Greater than the sum of their parts, the Preds are one of the pleasant surprises in the NHL thanks to a tireless work ethic, strong goaltending from Juuse Saros and a commitment to their structure.
The Predators were expected to be rebuilding their roster in 2023-24 and looking to the future, but the team has put itself in a spot where the front office may look to add pieces at the deadline rather than sell.
Nashville’s five-on-five play has been much better than anybody thought it would be this season and the Preds have a massive goaltending edge in this game. This is also a tricky spot for the Sens, whose season is effectively over, as the All-Star break looms in a couple of days. Nashville should give Ottawa everything it can handle on Monday night.
THE PLAY: Predators -110.