Ottawa Senators vs Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Pick & Prediction for 10/9

bangthebook nhl game preview

The NHL Regular Season is starting, and the Ottawa Senators are set to play against the Tampa Bay Lightning. This game will take place at Benchmark International Arena on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at 7:00 PM. Fans can catch the game on ESPN+.

Last season, the Ottawa Senators had a record of 45-30-7. They reached the Eastern First Round but lost 2-4. The Tampa Bay Lightning finished with a record of 47-27-8 and also fell in the Eastern First Round with a 1-4 result. Both teams aim to start the season strong in the Eastern Atlantic Division.

Senators vs Lightning Game Day Info

  • Sport: NHL
  • Teams: Ottawa Senators vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
  • Venue: Benchmark International Arena
  • Date: Thursday, October 9, 2025
  • Betting Odds: Ottawa Senators +141, Tampa Bay Lightning -169

Ottawa Senators Team Preview

The Ottawa Senators are ready to begin their new season. With no recent games, they are fresh and eager to start strong. This game against the Tampa Bay Lightning will set the tone for their season.

Tim Stützle was a key player last season with 79 points from 24 goals and 55 assists. Drake Batherson added 68 points with 26 goals. Brady Tkachuk led in hits with 228 and contributed 55 points.

In goal, Linus Ullmark played 44 games with 25 wins and four shutouts. Leevi Merilainen appeared in 12 games and earned eight wins. Mads Sogaard and Hunter Shepard had limited appearances but will aim to support the team this season.

Tampa Bay Lightning Team Preview

The Tampa Bay Lightning are starting their season with high expectations. They have some of the top players from last season ready to take the ice. Fans are eager to see how the team performs in their first game.

Nikita Kucherov is one of the standout skaters for the Lightning. Last season, he played 78 games and scored 37 goals. His playmaking ability also led to 84 assists, giving him a total of 121 points.

In goal, Andrei Vasilevskiy is a key player for the Lightning. He played 63 games last season, securing 38 wins and 6 shutouts. His experience and skill make him a reliable choice for the team.

BTB Betting Pick

The Tampa Bay Lightning are favored to win the game with a moneyline of -169. They are the favorites against the Ottawa Senators, who have a moneyline of +141. Given the odds and the Lightning’s status as favorites, picking Tampa Bay to win straight up is a reasonable choice.

The total for the game is set at 6.0, with the over at -115 and the under at -107. Since both teams are starting their first game of the regular season, the under 6.0 might be a safer pick. This is because teams often need time to find their rhythm at the start of the season, which can lead to lower scoring games.