Seattle Kraken vs Ottawa Senators Picks and Predictions December 17th 2024

Senators Begin Grueling Road Stretch Aiming for 4th Straight Win

The Ottawa Senators are hitting the road in a big way—nine consecutive road games await, starting Tuesday night against the Seattle Kraken. For the Sens, this extended trip offers a chance to solidify their recent momentum and build on their impressive three-game winning streak.

Holiday Road Trip: A Unique Challenge

The Senators won’t see their home ice again until January 9 due to the IIHF World Junior Championships taking over Ottawa. This grueling road stretch is split into two parts: four games out West against Seattle, Calgary, Vancouver, and Edmonton, followed by a post-Christmas five-game swing.

Despite the daunting schedule, goaltender Linus Ullmark is optimistic about the team’s mindset.

“Our goal is to win them all, but we’ll see afterwards what the results are and what we’ll bring home for Christmas,” Ullmark said.

Finding Momentum: Sens on a Roll

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Ottawa is riding their first three-game win streak of the season and has now won five of their last six. Their latest victory—a 3-2 overtime thriller against Pittsburgh—highlighted their resilience and growing confidence.

Brady Tkachuk delivered the game-winner just 1:46 into overtime, showcasing his leadership and knack for big moments. With 15 goals this season, he continues to drive the Senators’ offense alongside Tim Stutzle (36 points) and Drake Batherson (33 points).

“We’re playing to our identity,” Tkachuk said after the win. “We’re playing for each other, and if we keep doing it, the results are going to keep coming.”

Linus Ullmark: The Backbone of Ottawa’s Resurgence

A key reason for the Senators’ recent success is Linus Ullmark’s stellar play between the pipes. The reigning Vezina Trophy winner is reminding everyone why he earned that honor last season. Over his past seven starts, Ullmark has been nearly unbeatable, boasting a 6-0-1 record with a 1.55 goals-against average and a sparkling .950 save percentage.

Ullmark’s heroics were on full display Saturday when he stepped in unexpectedly after backup Anton Forsberg was injured in warmups. Senators coach Travis Green didn’t hide his appreciation.

“For Linus to step in and have the night he did, it’s impressive,” Green said.

Kraken Looking to Bounce Back

Seattle enters Tuesday’s matchup hoping to rebound from a disappointing 5-1 loss to Tampa Bay. The Kraken started strong with an early goal from defenseman Brandon Montour, but their performance faded as they allowed three goals in the third period.

Defenseman Vince Dunn expressed the team’s frustration, emphasizing the need to work smarter.

“We can’t ask for a better start. Monty gets us one early, and we don’t really have much of a response the whole entire game,” Dunn admitted. “We kind of look like the same that we were probably eight games ago… That’s disappointing.”

The Kraken’s recent form, however, has been encouraging overall. Seattle is 4-2-1 in their last seven games, with Oliver Bjorkstrand emerging as a key contributor. Bjorkstrand has netted four goals in his past four outings and now shares the team lead with Jared McCann at 11 goals apiece.

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Key Matchup: Ullmark vs. Kraken’s Offense

For the Senators, Ullmark’s ability to stifle Seattle’s offensive push will be critical. The Kraken, while inconsistent, have shown flashes of scoring prowess. If Bjorkstrand and McCann can capitalize on opportunities, Seattle could make life difficult for Ottawa’s defense.

On the other side, the Senators will look to Tkachuk and their top scorers to exploit any Kraken lapses, particularly in the third period, where Seattle has struggled.

The Road Ahead

The Senators are embracing the challenge of their holiday road trip, knowing it’s a chance to prove themselves and solidify their playoff position. For Seattle, closing out their homestand with a strong performance is a must to avoid slipping back into old habits.

Both teams have something to prove. Will Ottawa’s momentum continue, or will the Kraken respond in front of their home fans? The battle begins Tuesday night.