The Ottawa Senators head west to the Scotiabank Saddledome to face a rebuilding Calgary Flames squad on Thursday night. Ottawa enters this matchup as one of the league’s hottest teams, currently on a 6-1-2 run as they claw their way back into the Eastern Conference wild-card conversation. Calgary, conversely, has fully embraced a youth movement, evidenced by their blockbuster trade of top defenseman MacKenzie Weegar to Utah just 24 hours ago. With the trade deadline looming tomorrow, the atmosphere in Calgary is one of transition, while the Senators arrive with singular focus: securing two points against a depleted opponent. Continue reading to get my Senators vs Flames prediction. Visit our NHL page to see all of today’s top picks and predictions.
Our Senators vs Flames Pick
Pick:
Confidence: ★★★★☆
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Ottawa Senators vs Calgary Flames
- Date & Time: Thursday, March 5, 2026, 9:00 PM ET
- Venue: Scotiabank Saddledome
- Broadcast: ESPN+, Sportsnet West, TSN5
Ottawa Senators Injury Report
- Tim Stützle (C): Healthy and currently on a 10-game point streak.
- Linus Ullmark (G): Day-to-day with a minor illness; status is a game-time decision.
- David Perron (LW): Out (Sports Hernia). Placed on IR and expected to miss another 2-3 weeks.
Calgary Flames Injury Report
- Jonathan Huberdeau (LW): Out for the season (Hip surgery).
- Samuel Honzek (LW): Out for the season (Upper body).
- Nazem Kadri (C): Healthy, but a name to watch as a potential late-scratched “asset protection” move before the deadline.
Key Storylines
Post-Weegar Blue Line
The Flames’ defense is in a state of flux following the departure of MacKenzie Weegar. While Olli Maatta joins the lineup tonight, losing their primary minutes-eater creates a massive vacuum that Ottawa’s elite top six—led by Stützle and the recently acquired Dylan Cozens—is primed to exploit. Calgary’s younger defenders will be under immense pressure from the opening whistle.
Ottawa’s Wild-Card Push
Unlike Calgary, who is looking toward the 2026 Draft, the Senators are playing meaningful March hockey. Since the Olympic break, Ottawa has been one of the most disciplined transition teams in the league. Their power play has converted at a 28% clip over the last five games, a nightmare scenario for a Flames team that is currently struggling with defensive zone coverage and communication.
Model Projection
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Final Thoughts
