Ottawa Senators vs St. Louis Blues Picks and Predictions October 29th 2024

The Ottawa Senators and St. Louis Blues head into Tuesday’s game with a shared goal: bounce back from frustrating performances and regain their footing. Both teams have shown flashes of potential this season, but recent games exposed key weaknesses they’re keen to address.

Senators’ Defensive Struggles Spotlighted

The Senators launched their season on a high note, boasting a 4-2-0 record out of the gate. But things took a downhill turn over the weekend as they surrendered a combined 11 goals in losses to the Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche. The recent 5-4 loss to Colorado left Ottawa’s head coach, Travis Green, emphasizing a need for greater discipline and intensity.

“Physically, we didn’t play well enough… mentally, we weren’t very sharp,” Green noted, highlighting the team’s lapses on both fronts.

While Ottawa’s offense has been one of their strengths—powered by standout players like Drake Batherson, Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle, and veteran Claude Giroux—their defense has struggled to keep pace. Conceding 3.75 goals per game, the Senators rank among the league’s more porous defenses. With goaltender Anton Forsberg’s 25 saves keeping Ottawa in the Colorado game, Green knows improvements in structure and focus are crucial to balance the team’s firepower.

Blues Seek Consistency After a Mixed Start

The St. Louis Blues face a similar story of early inconsistency, compounded by a tough 5-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. Head coach Drew Bannister was visibly disappointed with his team’s lack of physicality and focus in the opening minutes, noting, “For 40 minutes, we didn’t bring a lot of physicality to the game… When you’re not willing to work early, you’re usually chasing the game.”

The Blues have also been plagued by a season-long issue of playing from behind, spending an average of over 28 minutes trailing on the scoreboard. Bannister aims to see stronger starts from his players, hoping they can harness the momentum from recent wins like the solid 5-1 victory over Toronto, despite their struggles in the loss to Montreal.

With their No. 1 center, Robert Thomas, sidelined by a broken ankle for approximately six weeks, the Blues have had to reconfigure their lineup. Pavel Buchnevich steps in as the top-line center, while captain Brayden Schenn takes on a more central role for the second line. For Bannister, it’s all about cultivating energy from the get-go to avoid the constant need to play catch-up.

Key Players to Watch

The Senators will rely on their offensive leaders to exploit a Blues defense that’s occasionally looked shaky this season. Drake Batherson and Brady Tkachuk, each off to strong starts, will aim to capitalize on opportunities, while Tim Stutzle and Claude Giroux round out an offensive core capable of big plays.

On the Blues’ end, young winger Jake Neighbours has been a bright spot, scoring four goals in his last five games. He knows a quick start is critical, commenting, “That’s on us as players to come out ready… That gives you a better opportunity to grab a lead or keep it a tied game.” With Buchnevich stepping up and veteran Schenn taking on additional responsibility, St. Louis has the tools to find consistency if they can bring full-game energy.

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What to Expect

Tuesday’s clash promises a gritty test of resilience for both teams. The Senators, playing at home, aim to lock down their defense and avoid the lapses that proved costly last weekend. Meanwhile, the Blues will focus on setting the tone from the first puck drop, hoping to gain an early edge and sustain their effort for 60 minutes.

Expect a back-and-forth matchup where both sides look to correct course, making this game an intriguing battle between two teams hungry for a win and stability in the season ahead.