The Predators vs Senators preview for Saturday centers on two teams trending in opposite directions early in the 2026-27 season. Nashville (2-1-1) visits Ottawa (3-1-0) at Canadian Tire Centre at 7 p.m. ET, with the Senators looking to build on a three-game points streak and the Predators trying to carry momentum from a bounce-back road win in Montreal.
Predators Vs Senators Game Information
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 10
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
- Venue: Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, ON
- TV/Streaming: ESPN+, Scripps Sports
How Have Both Teams Played Lately
Nashville dropped its first three games before finding its footing, beating Dallas 2-1 on Oct. 4 and losing to Toronto in overtime two days later. The Predators then closed their road trip with a 5-2 win over Montreal on Thursday, getting two goals from Adam Edstrom, according to FOX Sports.
Ottawa has won three of its last four, most recently edging Philadelphia 2-1 on Thursday night. Carter Yakemchuk broke a tie with a power-play goal with 6:59 left, and Linus Ullmark stopped 29 shots in the win, according to the Houston Chronicle. The Senators sit second in the Atlantic Division with six points through four games, while Nashville sits fifth in the Central with five points through four games.
Who Is Out Or Banged Up
Nashville is without goaltender Justus Annunen, who remains on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury and is not listed to return until Oct. 13. Center Mavrik Bourque is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
Ottawa’s injury list is longer. Forward William Eklund is out with an ankle injury, and forward Andre Burakovsky is on injured reserve with an upper-body issue. Defenseman Artem Zub remains on injured reserve with a knee injury, while defenseman Jake Sanderson is day-to-day with a lower-body injury and defenseman Cameron Crotty is day-to-day with an illness. Forward Kurtis MacDermid is also out with an undisclosed injury.
Who Is Projected To Start In Net
Juuse Saros is the projected starting goalie for Nashville, while Linus Ullmark is projected to start for Ottawa after his 29-save performance against Philadelphia. Both designations remain projections until puck drop, per the official data.
By The Numbers
- Goals: Ottawa 12, Nashville 12
- Points: Ottawa 32, Nashville 36
- Shots on goal: Ottawa 104, Nashville 91
- Shooting percentage: Ottawa 11.5%, Nashville 13.2%
- Save percentage: Ottawa .929, Nashville .916
- Goals against average: Ottawa 2.25, Nashville 2.75
- Power-play goals: Ottawa 2, Nashville 5
- Faceoff percentage: Ottawa 52.7%, Nashville 48.0%
- Penalty minutes: Ottawa 54, Nashville 22
Who Leads Each Roster
Steven Stamkos paces Nashville with three goals and six points, while Roman Josi leads the team with four assists. For Ottawa, Tim Stutzle leads in all three categories with three goals, three assists and six points.
Nashville’s power play has converted five times already, well ahead of Ottawa’s two, which could matter against a Senators penalty-killing group that has absorbed more penalty minutes than the Predators have so far this season. Ottawa’s defensive numbers remain stronger overall, with a lower goals-against average and higher save percentage, even with four of its six blue-liners dealing with injury or illness designations.
What To Watch
Both teams are chasing early separation in crowded divisions. Ottawa’s six points have it tied for second in the Atlantic, while Nashville’s five points have it tied for fourth in the Central with Minnesota. A Predators win would be their first of the season away from Nashville against an Atlantic opponent, while a Senators win would push Ottawa’s record to 4-1-0 to open the year.
Nashville’s power-play success and Ottawa’s deeper injury list on the back end are the two factors most likely to shape Saturday’s result. For more on Nashville’s recent stretch, see the Predators’ win over the Stars and the team’s preview against Toronto earlier in the week. Ottawa’s opponent Thursday, the Flyers, and other early-season results around the league are covered in the Total Apex Sports look at teams off to slow starts this season.
Saturday’s game starts the season series between these two clubs. The next scheduled update for both teams will follow the result from Canadian Tire Centre.
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