Adam Williams presents his prediction for the NHL match.
The Ottawa Senators are struggling significantly at the worst possible moment, having been eliminated from the wild-card race after four consecutive regulation losses. Returning to a winning path will be challenging as they face a match against the league’s best team, the Winnipeg Jets.
Ottawa Senators
The Senators have not withstood the test of squad depth – the absence of key players has immediately affected their performance. With several of their top-six players sidelined – Brady Tkachuk (21+23), Josh Norris (19+12) and Shane Pinto (11+11) – they have lost their former confidence and once again appear as a disjointed side with no business in the playoffs. Costly mistakes in their own zone, significant turnovers, poor discipline and lapses in concentration at crucial moments have seen them concede a total of 19 goals in their last four matches. Travis Green is extremely dissatisfied with their sluggish and inert hockey, and that it will take time to unite the squad following the break.
Winnipeg Jets
The Winnipeg Jets face similar challenges but manage to overcome them without incurring any losses. This week, they secured their 10th consecutive victory – an absolute record in the franchise’s history. Navigating tough periods in the season is considerably easier with a well-rounded squad, as evidenced by eight players registering 10 or more goals in the current regular season. Furthermore, reinforcements have bolstered their ranks – centre-forward Adam Lowry (11+15) has returned after injury, and leading defenceman Josh Morrissey (8+39) is highly motivated after missing the final of the Four Nations Tournament due to illness.
Ottawa Senators vs Winnipeg Jets Prediction
We believe that only the most ardent supporters would expect a sudden turnaround from the Ottawa Senators in their match against the Winnipeg Jets. The Senators could not withstand pressure from the Montreal Canadiens (2:5) – not to mention the Winnipeg Jets, who consistently dictate the pace from shift to shift. The only head-to-head encounter was won by the Winnipeg Jets (4:2).
