The Ottawa Senators and the Anaheim Ducks are ready for Saturday afternoon hockey from the Canadian capital city. Find out our thoughts with analysis, statistics, and key storylines on NHL Predictions with Last Word On Hockey. Ottawa enters play with 18 games to play, five points out of the 2026 Eastern Conference Stanley Cup Playoff standings. Anaheim is sitting better, in first in the NHL’s Pacific Division. Let’s go.

NHL Predictions Ducks and Senators

Season Series: Ottawa won in November 3-2 in Anaheim.

Puck Drop: 1:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) | 10:00 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)

How to Watch: TVAS, TSN5, Victory+, KCOP-13

Location: The fantastic Canadian Tire Centre in Kanata, Ontario.

Credit Image: © Daniel Lea/Cal Sport Media

The two teams are very evenly matched, statistically. As a team, Anaheim is 36-26-3, with a team goals-against average of 3.51 and a team save percentage of .879. In contrast, Ottawa is 32-23-9 with a 3.14 GAA and an .871 SV%. The bigger problem for Ottawa, and what is favourable for Anaheim, is their position in the standings. Ottawa has 73 points and is fourth in the Eastern Conference Stanley Cup Playoff Wild Card standings. On the other hand, Anaheim, with just two more points than Ottawa, is leading the NHL’s Pacific Division. Can you spell parody? Maybe a paradox.

Anaheim will be the calmer club, as a result. It’s those little things at this time of year that can cause those breakdowns, that ultimately lead to goals. But Ottawa needs to look at this, as there’s still time. So, even though all games are importantly, these are two points Ottawa cannot let fall into the duck feed bag, quack.

The Goalies

Lukas Dostal is prone to allowing goals early, specifically on first shots of the game. Eight times this year he has done just that. He is Anaheim’s projected starter, taking on Linus Ullmark. All-in-all, as we suggested it should be a fairly even goaltending matchup. Not just based on statistics, but also perceived star-power of the two tenders. Also, it is a great time for our disclaimer. Please check social media prior to puck drop, to see definitely who gets the nod, before setting your fantasy roster for the day.

Another way to compare the two clubs, is looking at their offensive lines. Below, it is sorted by expected goal percentages for the two teams’ line combinations that have played at least 100 minutes on the ice together. As we can see very strong expected numbers from all the lines. The Ducks have an advantage of consistency in combinations used. Meanwhile, this is an example of how well Ottawa has played this year. But at this time their advantage on paper, absolutely needs to translate to the ice. Just for reference, the top-two Sen lines are remarkably ranked first and third league-wide. Conversely, Anaheim’s top line would be rated 33rd overall.

Jensen is day to day. Don’t expect him to play tomorrow #Sens

— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) March 13, 2026

The Sens do have an (another) injury to contend with, as was reported yesterday. Veteran defenceman Nick Jensen was injured in the 3-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday night, and the word yesterday was that he is out for today’s game. This adds to the injury impact, as their blueline star Jake Sanderson is currently out week-to-week. This is not the time to have such important defensive players injured. It will surely put their run for a playoff spot to the ultimate test.

Fortunately for the Sens, and not so for the Ducks, is that Anaheim will also be without one of their top defenders. Radko Gudas will be serving a five-game suspension for his knee-on-knee of Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews. Matthews is out for the remainder of the season, as a result of the contact.

Anaheim Ducks Storylines at the Three-Quarter Mark of the Season

What’s the Story for Anaheim?

For the Anaheim Ducks, they are led offensively by young guys Cutter Gauthier and Leo Carlsson. Carlsson especially, who plays big minutes down the middle, is at 19:16 of ice time a game. Thus, rounding out his complete game. He impressed the hockey world representing Team Sweden at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.

The other pleasant surprise, in the youthful offence conversation, is the rookie no less, Beckett Sennecke. He is currently tied in the lead among rookies with 51 points, tied with Ivan Demidov. In case you’re wondering, and we know you are, Matthew Schaefer is clear and away third with 48. Next is Ryan Leonard with just 35. Those top three are definitely full-entrenched in a season-long Calder Trophy race. Even to this point, their is no clear cut favourite.

Ottawa’s Discussion

We recall of Tim Stutzle‘s very impressive point streak. He’s already tied for his career best at 14, that has him third longest in franchise history. Between his top-end scoring, as long as they have contributions from everyone, they tend to win. It is a formula for success, they just need to get everyone chipping offensively.

NHL Predictions

Ottawa continues to play with lots on the line, and still hopes of a playoff spot. They need to be careful of Anaheim’s exuberance and speed at which they can attack. If they can, and playing with urgency, they should prevail.

Prediction: Ducks 2 – Senators 3.

Prop Bets

With our classic anytime goal scorers, we will think about selecting Cutter Gauthier for our choice for the Ducks. Okay for Sens, okay, forget the stat, take the pressure off, not Dylan Cozens, although he’s our second choice. We like Drake Batherson, as he scored a couple big goals Wednesday versus Montreal. When he gets hot, he scores as beautiful goals as anyone in the league, with his size and soft hands, and quick, hard right-hand release.

Main Photo Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images

Anaheim’s Radko Gudas has been suspended for five games for kneeing Toronto’s Auston Matthews. https://t.co/jBq3cksIMt

— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) March 14, 2026

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