Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa (Kanata), Ontario
TV: ESPN+ (regional: Scripps Sports / Predators app, Sportsnet One, TVAS-D)
This is a non-conference matchup. Nashville closes a three-game road trip; Ottawa hosts after a home win.
Projected Lineups / Current Rosters
Predators (approximate):
Steven Stamkos – Ryan O’Reilly – Alexander Kerfoot
Filip Forsberg – Matthew Wood – Nils Höglander
Ross Colton – Jack Drury / Mavrik Bourque (status) – Jonathan Marchessault
Depth including Adam Edstrom, Vitali Pinchuk, Reid Schaefer Defense: Nicolas Hague – Roman Josi; Brady Skjei – Nick Perbix; Adam Wilsby / Jack Ahcan depth Goaltenders: Juuse Saros (projected starter) / Matt Murray (Justus Annunen on IR).
Senators (approximate):
Warren Foegele / others – Tim Stützle – Drake Batherson
Ridly Greig – Dylan Cozens – Fabian Zetterlund
Michael Amadio – Shane Pinto – Claude Giroux
Depth including Nick Cousins, Hayden Hodgson Defense: Thomas Chabot – Jordan Spence; Tyler Kleven – Carter Yakemchuk; Nikolas Matinpalo depth (Jake Sanderson and Artem Zub status monitored) Goaltenders: Linus Ullmark (projected) / Samuel Ersson.
Injury / Status Reports
Predators:
Justus Annunen (G, undisclosed) – IR (eligible around Oct. 13).
William Trudeau (D, upper body) – IR, week-to-week.
Mavrik Bourque (C, upper body) – day-to-day (left recent game).
Senators:
William Eklund (LW, ankle) – out extended period (into 2027).
Andre Burakovsky (LW, upper body) – IR.
Artem Zub (D, knee) – IR/non-roster (skating recently; near return possible).
Jake Sanderson (D, lower body) – day-to-day.
Cameron Crotty (D, illness) – day-to-day.
Kurtis MacDermid and others out.
Recent Team Forms
Predators (2-1-1): Solid early results with strong special teams. Results: L 1-3 vs. MIN, W 2-1 vs. DAL, L 4-5 OT at TOR, W 5-2 at MTL. ~3.0 GF/G and hot power play (~38.5%). Roman Josi, Steven Stamkos, and Filip Forsberg contributing; Juuse Saros steady. Finishing a road trip on a win.
Senators (3-1-0): Strong start atop the Atlantic. Results: W 3-2 at TOR, W 4-1 at BOS, L 3-5 at DET, W 2-1 vs. PHI. Balanced scoring (~3.0 GF/G) and solid defense (~2.25 GA/G). Tim Stützle leading; Linus Ullmark strong early. Home opener win after three road games.
Key Player Matchups
Steven Stamkos / Filip Forsberg / Ryan O’Reilly vs. Senators defense (Chabot, Spence, Yakemchuk): Nashville’s veteran skill and hot PP against Ottawa’s mobile but injury-affected blue line.
Tim Stützle / Drake Batherson / Dylan Cozens vs. Predators defense (Josi-Hague): Ottawa’s young core testing Nashville’s top pair and structure.
Goaltending: Saros (reliable) vs. Ullmark (excellent early form).
Special teams: Nashville’s elite early PP vs. Ottawa’s PK; faceoffs and transition battles key in a potential lower-event game.
Series History
Nashville holds a slight all-time edge (roughly 21-17-1 in some counts). Recent meetings have been competitive, with each side taking wins (e.g., Predators 5-3 and 4-1 victories in prior seasons; Senators multi-goal wins). No 2026-27 meetings yet.
Betting Trends
Total: Often 5.5 or 6.0 (leaning Under in some projections given both teams’ early defensive trends).
Ottawa is the home favorite. Lines reflect their better record and rest situation relative to Nashville’s road trip.
Game Odds
Nashville Predators 6
Ottawa Senators – 158
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, October 9, 2026
