Don’t ask how we got here but welcome to NHL Predictions from Last Word on Hockey. It is do, or die for the Ottawa Senators as the season bleeds into March. San Jose Sharks come to town to show they have some talented individuals, potentially displaying their talents leading up to Friday’s trade deadline. C’mon.
NHL Predictions: San Jose Sharks vs Ottawa Senators from the Canadian Tire Centre
Puck Drop: 7:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (10:00 p.m. Pacific)
The Ottawa Senators are in dire straights, they need wins, and not excuses. Excuses like, oh well, Joshua Norris, Shane Pinto, Brady Tkachuk, Jacob Bernard-Docker, Nick Cousins all on the injury infirmary. Oh yes, Tyler Kleven, unknown. Actually, one way to look at the Senators current situation is there goes the defensive side of the puck. But, another way is where’s the toughness? Brady Tkachuk and Tyler Kleven are part of what makes the Sens a tough team to play against on some nights.
It’s tough to know who will play tonight, so check the lineups. Josh Norris and Shane Pinto are both close.
The Tkaptain, Pinner, and Newf were all back as full participants at practice as the #Sens prepare for the Sharks. Jackson Starr has what you need to know in Sens Today
pic.twitter.com/RofyPAHW7Y
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) February 28, 2025
But then on Friday, to really throw a wrinkle in our NHL Predictions, the story emerges that Brady is coming back. It’s time for results, not excuses. He’s the captain and he knows that more than anyone. We know the other key figures are close. Just how will head coach Travis Green manage his resources?
The Sens do play an interesting game, as for a team on the bubble, they don’t give themselves any breathing room by being stuck at the salary cap. Given the impact injuries have had on the lineup at times in 2024-25, it is entirely plausible they are active this week. It will be interesting to see how the players respond.
What’s the Story in the Mediterranean Waters of the San Jose Shark
The San Jose Sharks are slowly starting to find their footing. That charge is led by the budding superstar Macklin Celebrini. The Sharks are entrenched in the doldrums of a rebuild, don’t ask Sen fans. But, as with the Sens, there is at least light at the end of the tunnel.
Celebrini has missed some time. He’s tied for second on the team in scoring with 42 in 48 games. Celebrini is tied with William Eklund and Mikael Grandlund remains the team leader with 45. We might add, Dallas Star player Mikael Granlund.
The Sens need the two points, badly. The Sharks, despite their ultimate struggles in 2024-25, have proven to be a streaky team at least. They slide into this one 0-4-3 over the past seven contests. Moreover, the expected starters at time of publication are Vitek Vanecek and Linus Ullmark. Vanecek is 3-9-3 on the season, while Ullmark is 12-11-2.
NHL Predictions Sens and Sharks
When it comes down to it, we like the Sens in this one. Besides being heavily favoured, additionally powered by the home-ice advantage, it feels like they need this one, regardless of their lineup.
For some parlay options, if Claude Giroux snipes, it is paying prosperously. We won’t even tell you what Shakir Mukhamadullin, they type of NHL prospect that dictate the rate of the Sharks rebuild. A three-leg with the Sens covering, +4700.
Main Photo Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
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