Mar 4, 2014; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Ales Hemsky (83) carries the puck up ice during the third period against the Ottawa Senators at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
Here is the Senshot crew once again with their predictions for Ottawa’s 16th game of the season. You will notice, the Senshot crew is currently in a 5-way tie for 1st place.
Trevor Shackles (5-10)
Prediction: 3-2 Ottawa. Besides last year, the Senators have played well at Rexall Place in recent past, and the Oilers still look like a non-playoff team. Ottawa knows they need a bounce-back effort, and I think they get it here tonight.
Ottawa
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Zachary Prenner (6-9)
This is a tough one to call. Edmonton hasn’t won a game against any team from the West – all 6 of their wins have come against the East, which doesn’t bode well for the Senators.
Add to this the fact that the Oilers has won three straight against Ottawa and that the Sens haven’t won in Edmonton since 2011 and the picture looks bleaker still.
That being said, Edmonton is still a team that struggles mightily for any sort of consistency, especially in goal and on defence. The Oilers have lost two straight at home, and if there were any Western Conference team the Senators would be pegged to beat, they’re it.
I’m hoping that after letting crucial points slip away last season on a similar road trip against Edmonton and Calgary that the Sens will come out looking for some sort of redemption.
This’ll also be a special game for Lazar as he returns to where he played 199 games for the Oil Kings of the WHL, so I’m factoring all the above in to mean the Sens should take it, but a close one it’ll be. 4-3 Ottawa, OT again.
Ottawa
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Josh Chenoweth (7-8)
Senators win 3-2 over the Oilers. Despite the Sens’ recent struggles, they have to get this one over the lowly Oilers. Edmonton doesn’t have the goaltending Ottawa does, and their d-corps is one of the few in the NHL weaker than Ottawa’s. Also helps that Taylor Hall is out.
Ottawa
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Jack Leiper (7-8)
As Zachary points out above, the Oilers 6 wins have all come against Eastern Conference teams. Ottawa is in a 3 game rut and hasn’t been up to par. I think Ottawa’s defence has another iffy night, and It is hard to take Edmonton over my Senators. But I’m going to say Edmonton takes this one on home ice.
Edmonton
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Charlie Arseneault (7-8)
Once again, goaltending kept them in a game they had no business being in. I don’t think it’ll be quite as tough in Edmonton tonight, so there shouldn’t be as much pressure on Anderson or Lehner. Sens win.
Ottawa
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Travis Valois (7-8)
Oilers have started to look decent lately. I predict the Senators drop another one on this road trip. Look for a big game from Yakupov.
Edmonton
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Eldrinson Vado (7-8)
There’s no way Ottawa continues its losing ways in the west tonight. Going Ottawa 4-2
Ottawa