As the
NHL season barrels towards its climax, the
Ottawa Senators and the
Carolina Hurricanes are gearing up for a pivotal battle on April 17, 2025. Both teams are looking to firm up their standings in the league, with Ottawa hoping to sustain their recent momentum while Carolina aims to break free from a streak of inconsistency.
Roster Rundown
For the Senators, Brady Tkachuk continues to be their offensive powerhouse, leading the team with 85 points this season. His ability to crash the net and make those crucial plays has been indispensable. Tim Stutzle follows closely, having notched up 78 points, his playmaking skills adding a dynamic edge to Ottawa's attack. On the defensive front, Thomas Chabot anchors the blue line, averaging over 25 minutes of ice time per game. His defensive presence and ability to transition play has been vital. In goal, Anton Forsberg has been steady, boasting a .912 save percentage. Notably absent for Ottawa are Drake Batherson and Claude Giroux, both sidelined with injuries, a blow to their depth and offensive options.
The Hurricanes will look to Sebastian Aho to spark their offense; he’s racked up 90 points, making him a constant threat. Andrei Svechnikov, despite some ups and downs, has 75 points and is known for his lethal slapper. On defense, Jaccob Slavin is a rock with his shot-blocking and defensive awareness. Between the pipes, Frederik Andersen has been a mixed bag, with a .905 save percentage, needing to step up. Missing in action are Jordan Staal and Brent Burns, both dealing with injuries that have left gaps in leadership and experience.
Head-to-Head
Historically, Carolina has had the upper hand in this matchup. In their last three encounters, Carolina took the win in each:
Ottawa Senators 2-5
Carolina Hurricanes (Feb 2025),
Ottawa Senators 1-4
Carolina Hurricanes (Dec 2024),
Ottawa Senators 3-6
Carolina Hurricanes (Nov 2024).
Recent Form
Ottawa's recent performances have been strong, with victories against the Philadelphia Flyers (4-3), Montreal Canadiens (5-2), and Florida Panthers (3-0), though they stumbled against the Columbus Blue Jackets (5-2 loss).
Carolina has had a more tumultuous stretch, having lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs (4-1), Washington Capitals (5-4), Buffalo Sabres (3-0), and Boston Bruins (5-1), but managing a convincing win over the New York Rangers (7-3).
Standings
Ottawa currently sits in 5th place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 40-30-5, while Carolina trails in 7th place with a 38-32-5 record. Both are jockeying for playoff positions, with every point now crucial.
Wrap-Up
Ottawa's recent form suggests they're peaking at just the right time, having secured four wins in their last five outings. Their offense is firing on all cylinders, even without some key players. Carolina, on the other hand, has been struggling, their once rock-solid defense looking porous. For the Hurricanes, finding some consistency is vital, especially with Aho and Svechnikov needing to shoulder the scoring load more than ever.
Summary
Given the Senators' strong recent run and Carolina's struggles, Ottawa might have the edge coming into this game. With Tkachuk and Stutzle leading the charge and Forsberg solid in goal, Ottawa seems well-equipped to exploit Carolina’s defensive lapses. Carolina's key to success will be rediscovering their defensive game and getting Andersen to lock down the crease. It's shaping up to be an intriguing battle, with both teams having much at stake as they push for a playoff berth.
Match Odds Ottawa Senators – Carolina Hurricanes
Leon's odds are 1.27 on Ottawa Senators triumphing at own stadium.
At this moment our odds are equal to 29 on Carolina Hurricanes visiting team's winning.
Draw odds are 3.9.
