Update on the Ottawa Senators Pre-Christmas Schedule

As I mentioned in my earlier piece, I believe that this stretch of games before the Christmas break will be a defining moment in the Ottawa Senators' season.

I attempted to predict the result of their remaining games before Christmas and this is what I recorded:

Dec. 7: Washington vs. Ottawa

Predicted Outcome: WASH 3, OTT 1.  Washington rides the power play to a victory.  

Actual Outcome: WASH 5, OTT 3 (Still a two-goal win)

Dec. 8: Ottawa vs. New Jersey

Predicted Outcome: NJD 3, OTT 2 (OT).  Tough late loss for the Sens on a tough back-to-back. 

Actual Outcome: NJD 5 OTT 4 (OT)

Dec. 10: Canucks vs. Ottawa

Predicted Outcome: VAN 5, OTT 2.  Ryan Kesler and Alexander Edler strike fire in the first, leading to an easy win.  

Actual Outcome: VAN 4, OTT 1 (Kesler two goals)

If I may say so myself, those are some solid predictions.  For tonight’s game I predict the Sens will bounce back and end their losing streak, beating the Sabres on the back of their goaltender.

Dec. 13: Ottawa vs. Buffalo

Predicted Outcome: OTT 3, BUF 2.  Sens end losing skid in a hard-fought, close matchup.   

Actual Outcome: OTT 3, BUF 2

But what is making the Sens struggle during these games?

Well, the schedule hasn’t necessarily been very nice to them in the run-up to the holidays.  They play three games this week against two of the top teams in the league (Boston and Pittsburgh), and the Sabres tonight. 

But the schedule cannot be used as an excuse.  Allowing 13 goals through the last three games isn’t going to help the Sens win. 

They need some new blood on the power play, and switching up some defensive pairings might not hurt either.

In case anyone is curious, here are the rest of my predictions for the rest of their pre-Christmas games.  Hopefully, the Sens go on a bit of a winning streak as I predict.

Dec. 14: Boston vs. Ottawa

Predicted Outcome: BOS 4, OTT 0.  Sens look slow after a tough win in Buffalo the night prior.   

Actual Outcome:  BOS 5, OTT 2

Dec. 16: Pittsburgh vs. Ottawa

Predicted Outcome: OTT 6, PITT 5.  Ottawa wins a shootout late. 

Dec. 20: Buffalo vs. Ottawa

Predicted Outcome: BUF 3, OTT 1.  Sabres avenge loss from a week ago with a tight defensive effort. 

Dec. 22: Florida vs. Ottawa

Predicted Outcome: OTT 4, FLA 2.  Sens show a strong offensive game, overwhelming the young Panthers. 

Dec. 23: Ottawa vs. Carolina

Predicted Outcome: OTT 3, CAR 1.  Sens get an early Christmas gift, winning in ‘Lina. 

UPDATE: Sens win 3-2 over Buffalo as predicted.

UPDATE: Sens lose by more than 2 against Boston.

Happy Holidays to all!