Senators vs Hurricanes Prediction
The Ottawa Senators will play the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday night at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. Ottawa is looking to take the next step in their rebuild and make the playoffs, while Carolina is looking to return to the playoffs after losing in the Eastern Conference Finals last year.
Senators Preview
The Ottawa Senators finished last season with a record 39-35-8 and had 86 points, which was sixth in the Atlantic Division. Ottawa was pretty competitive last season, but they have higher expectations coming into 2023. The Senators scored 3.16 goals per game, which was 18th in the NHL, while they allowed 3.29 goals against per game, which was 20th in the NHL. Ottawa went 6-2-0 in the preseason with wins over Winnipeg (2x), Pittsburgh, Florida, and Toronto (2x). The Senators allowed two goals or fewer in five of their eight preseason games. Tim Stutzle led the Senators last season with 39 goals, 51 assists, and 228 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Ottawa is Joonas Korpisalo, who played for the Kings and Blue Jackets last season.
Hurricanes Preview
The Carolina Hurricanes were 52-21-9 last season and finished with 113 points, which was first in the Metropolitan Division. Carolina defeated the New York Islanders in six games and the Devils in five games, but lost to the Panthers in four games in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Hurricanes scored 3.20 goals per game, which was 15th in the NHL, while they allowed 2.56 goals against per game, which was 2nd in the NHL. Carolina went 3-3-0 in the preseason with wins over Nashville, Florida, and Tampa Bay. The Hurricanes scored two goals or fewer in three of their last four exhibition games. Martin Necas led the Hurricanes last year with 28 goals, 43 assists, and 240 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Carolina is Frederik Andersen, who went 21-11-1 last year with a 2.48 goals against average and a .903 save percentage.
Matchup/League Facts
The Senators have failed to make the playoffs in each of the last seven seasons.
The Senators have had the equal worst regular season point total in two of the last six seasons.
The Ottawa Senators ranked 1st in the league in penalty minutes last season (1027).
The Hurricanes have made the playoffs in five of the last six seasons.
The Hurricanes recorded 113+ points in two of the last three seasons.
The Carolina Hurricanes ranked 1st in the league for shots against per game last season (26.0).
Pick
The Hurricanes come into this season with plenty of momentum after going to the Eastern Conference Finals last year, but they need to find more goal scoring this season. Carolina was right in the middle of the pack for scoring last season, but they played incredible defense. Ottawa was right in the middle of the NHL for scoring as well, but they were 20th in goals against. The Hurricanes are one of the best defensive teams in the league, and I like these two teams to start the season with a lower scoring game. Take the under here.
