Vegas Golden Knights Defeat Ottawa Senators 4-1

What we said beforehand

The upcoming matchup between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Ottawa Senators promises to be an intriguing contest as both teams have shown competitive form early in the NHL season. The game is set to take place at T-Mobile Arena on October 28, 2026, and will mark the beginning of the series between these two teams.

Both teams enter this game with identical overall records of 8 wins and 4 losses, but their recent performances tell a different story. The Golden Knights have struggled in their last five games, managing only two wins against three losses, with their most recent result being a narrow 2-1 overtime defeat against the Columbus Blue Jackets. In those five games, they averaged 2.6 goals scored per game while allowing 4.0 goals against, indicating defensive vulnerabilities. In contrast, the Senators have been more successful recently, winning three of their last five games, including a decisive 7-4 victory over the New York Rangers in their last outing. Ottawa's recent form has seen them score an average of 4.0 goals per game while allowing 3.0 goals, showcasing their offensive capabilities.

When considering home and away performances, the Golden Knights have a home record of 4-1, but they are currently on a three-game losing streak at home. They have averaged 3.6 goals scored and 3.0 goals allowed at home this season. The Senators, meanwhile, have a mixed away record of 1-2, but they have shown resilience, particularly with their scoring ability, averaging 3.1 goals scored and 3.1 goals allowed in their away games.

Historically, the Golden Knights have struggled against the Senators, losing both of their previous meetings this season. The most recent encounter ended in a 7-1 defeat for Vegas, while the earlier game saw them fall 4-3 at home. This trend will be a point of concern for the Golden Knights as they look to reverse their fortunes against Ottawa.

In terms of injuries, both teams are dealing with key absences. The Golden Knights will be without Carter Hart due to an undisclosed injury and Parker Wotherspoon, who is on injured reserve with an upper-body issue. The Senators will miss Thomas Chabot, who is out with an upper-body injury, and Linus Ullmark and William Eklund, both of whom are on injured reserve with lower body and ankle injuries, respectively. The impact of these injuries could be significant, particularly for the defensive structures of both teams.

From a betting perspective, DraftKings has priced the Golden Knights as the favorites at -162 on the money line, with a point spread of -1.5. The total for the game is set at 6.5, with odds of -108 for the over and -112 for the under. This indicates that the market expects a competitive game, but with a slight edge given to the home team.

As the game approaches, viewers should watch for the performance of key players. For the Golden Knights, Jack Eichel leads the team with 19 points, including 13 assists, while Mark Stone has contributed 8 goals. On the Senators' side, Tim Stutzle is a standout player, also with 8 goals and 8 assists, totaling 16 points. The effectiveness of these players could be pivotal in determining the outcome of this matchup.

Overall, the game between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Ottawa Senators is shaping up to be a compelling fixture in the NHL calendar. With both teams looking to solidify their positions early in the season, fans can expect an exciting contest filled with high stakes and intense competition.