2024-25 Senators Season Preview, Predictions, & Odds

As Travis Green takes charge for his first season as head coach, the Ottawa Senators have a new lease on life and high hopes entering the 2024-25 regular season.

Green is among the hockey odds favourites to win the Jack Adams Award. He leads a team that underachieved last season but has the pedigree to make the playoffs for the first time since 2017. 

If you’re wondering, that’s not even close to the longest streak without a playoff berth. At 13 years, the Buffalo Senators hold that dubious honour.

Ottawa Senators Futures Odds

Point Total: 90.5 

Atlantic Division: +1100

Eastern Conference: +2000

Stanley Cup: +4000

Ottawa Senators Offseason Moves

While the Senators saw lots of movement regarding fringe players, three high-profile moves headlined their offseason. 

Acquiring former Vezina winner Linus Ullmark was a masterstroke for general manager Steve Staios. Ullmark has spent the previous three seasons forming the NHL’s best goaltender tandem in Boston with Vezina odds favourite Jeremy Swayman. 

The Sens also acquired former Detroit Red Wing David Perron, who should add consistent point production for a team in desperate need. 

While Jakob Chychrun never reached the expected heights, losing him still represents the team’s most significant personnel blow of the offseason.  

Ottawa Senators Additions

Ottawa Senators Departures

Ottawa Senators 2024-25 Betting Prediction

Prediction: Over 90.5 points (-115)

I predict the Senators will secure at least 91 points. I’m going one further, backing the Senators to end their playoff drought and qualify for the postseason. They have +105 NHL odds to make the playoffs. 

Ottawa finished the 2023-24 season with 78 points, the third-fewest in the Eastern Conference. While 13 points is a ton to make up, I have complete confidence in Ullmark. 

Bienvenue à Ottawa, Linus Ullmark! 😱🤯#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/KsFm79QpfR

— LNH (@LNH_FR) September 26, 2024

His addition and presence should stabilize and help improve the Senators’ defence, which tied for the fifth-most goals against per game (3.43). Ullmark should also be at the forefront of an improved penalty kill, which ranked fourth worst (75.1%).

The main knock on Ullmark is that he hasn’t carried a No. 1 goaltender’s workload throughout his career. He had 41, 49, and 40 starts in Boston, the three heaviest workloads of his nine-year career. 

While that’s a fair concern, I feel Ullmark will thrive in an environment where he’s the leading man on campus. 

Ottawa endured a putrid start to last season and had the fourth-worst record through New Year’s Eve (14-18-0). They finished the campaign with a 23-23-4 record, tied for 19th best. 

While neither trajectory will get them where they need to be this season, they were much better in the second half. 

Perron’s addition should add a consistent goal threat while contributing to a power play that ranked 23rd overall (18.4%), two facets where the Senators need help. 

Much of my prediction will depend on how seamlessly Ullmark adapts to life in Ottawa. But he’s good enough to steal a few wins for the Senators, and if they can get off to a better start, improving by 13 points isn’t much of a stretch. 

Lock in the Sens to finish the season with at least 91 points. It’s my best online sportsbook bet.