The Ottawa Senators travel to Rogers Place on March 3 for a key interconference matchup against the Edmonton Oilers. Both teams enter the night with identical records and playoff ambitions, but their recent trends tell different stories. Ottawa have been playing solid hockey over the last few weeks, winning several games and getting strong goaltending from Linus Ullmark. Edmonton, meanwhile, remain one of the most explosive offensive teams in the league but have struggled to find consistency during a recent losing stretch.
This game could feature plenty of scoring chances. The Oilers generate a high number of shots every night, while the Senators are one of the more efficient offensive teams when attacking off transition. With star players like Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Tim Stützle and Brady Tkachuk on the ice, the pace should be fast and aggressive. Goaltending will also play a key role, especially if Ottawa’s Ullmark faces heavy pressure from Edmonton’s attack.
Match Details
| Match | Ottawa Senators vs Edmonton Oilers |
|---|---|
| Date | March 3, 2026 |
| Time | 9:00 PM ET |
| Venue | Rogers Place, Edmonton |
| TV | Sportsnet West, TSN5, RDS2 |
| Betting Total | 6.5 Goals |
Team Records
| Team | Record | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Ottawa Senators | 29-22-8 | 66 |
| Edmonton Oilers | 29-24-8 | 66 |
Both teams enter the matchup with the same number of points, making this a crucial game for standings positioning.
Also see: Aliaksei Protas Out for Personal Reasons as Capitals Face Mammoth – Lineup Changes Explained
Projected Lineups
Ottawa Senators
Forwards
- Drake Batherson – Tim Stützle – Claude Giroux
- Brady Tkachuk – Dylan Cozens – Ridly Greig
- Nick Cousins – Shane Pinto – Michael Amadio
- Stephen Halliday – Lars Eller – Fabian Zetterlund
Defense
- Jake Sanderson – Artem Zub
- Thomas Chabot – Nick Jensen
- Tyler Kleven – Jordan Spence
Goalies
- Linus Ullmark
- James Reimer
Scratched: Kurtis MacDermid
Injured: Nikolas Matinpalo (undisclosed), David Perron (sports hernia)
Edmonton Oilers
Forwards
- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Connor McDavid – Zach Hyman
- Vasily Podkolzin – Leon Draisaitl – Kasperi Kapanen
- Trent Frederic – Jack Roslovic – Matthew Savoie
- Curtis Lazar – Adam Henrique – Josh Samanski
Defense
- Jake Walman – Evan Bouchard
- Mattias Ekholm – Spencer Stastney
- Darnell Nurse – Ty Emberson
Goalies
- Connor Ingram
- Tristan Jarry
Scratched: Isaac Howard, Connor Murphy
Injured: Mattias Janmark (shoulder)
Also see: Robert Thomas Trade Rumors: Buffalo Sabres in Talks with St. Louis Blues Before NHL Deadline
Recent Form
Ottawa Senators – Last 5 Games
- Win vs Toronto (5-2)
- Loss vs Detroit (1-2)
- Win vs Philadelphia (2-1)
- Loss vs Carolina (3-4)
- Win vs Pittsburgh (3-2)
Ottawa have been competitive recently, winning multiple games and showing balanced scoring across their top lines.
Edmonton Oilers – Last 5 Games
- Loss vs San Jose (4-5)
- Win vs Los Angeles (8-1)
- Loss vs Anaheim (5-6)
- Loss vs Calgary (3-4)
- Loss vs Toronto (2-5)
Edmonton’s games have been high-scoring lately, with multiple contests featuring seven or more total goals.
Offensive Comparison
| Category | Senators | Oilers |
|---|---|---|
| Goals per Game | 3.35 | 3.80 |
| Shots per Game | 28.5 | 33.1 |
| Power Play Efficiency | 23.2% | 37.5% |
Edmonton’s power play remains one of the most dangerous in the league, while Ottawa rely more on balanced five-on-five scoring.
Key Players to Watch
Ottawa Senators
Tim Stützle
The Senators’ offensive engine continues to drive play from the first line. His speed and playmaking ability make him dangerous on the rush.
Drake Batherson
Batherson has been productive recently, recording points in several recent games while playing a key role on the power play.
Linus Ullmark
Ottawa’s goaltender has been strong since returning, posting a save percentage above .900 in recent starts.
Edmonton Oilers
Connor McDavid
One of the most dynamic players in hockey, McDavid continues to create scoring chances every shift.
Leon Draisaitl
A major threat on the power play and a consistent scorer who can change games quickly.
Zach Hyman
Provides net-front presence and secondary scoring alongside McDavid.
Goaltending Matchup
Ottawa are expected to start Linus Ullmark, who has been reliable in recent games and capable of handling high shot volumes.
Edmonton could turn to Connor Ingram or Tristan Jarry depending on lineup decisions. The Oilers’ defensive structure has been inconsistent, which places pressure on their goaltenders.
Head-to-Head Trends
- Edmonton have won many recent home matchups against Ottawa.
- Oilers games have frequently gone Over the total, especially at home.
- Ottawa have been competitive recently with several wins in the last few weeks.
Player Props to Watch
- Linus Ullmark Over 24.5 saves
- Drake Batherson Over 0.5 points
- Connor McDavid Anytime point
- Total goals Over 6.5
Best Picks
| Market | Pick |
|---|---|
| Moneyline | Slight Lean – Oilers |
| Spread | Senators +1.5 |
| Total | Over 6.5 Goals |
| Player Prop | Ullmark Over 24.5 Saves |
| Predicted Score | Senators 4 – Oilers 3 |
This matchup has the potential to be one of the most entertaining games on the NHL schedule tonight. Edmonton typically play a wide-open style at home, generating heavy shot volume and creating high-scoring games. Ottawa, however, have shown strong offensive balance and solid goaltending in recent weeks.
If the Senators can control Edmonton’s transition game and rely on Ullmark to handle the pressure in net, they have a real chance to compete in this matchup. Still, with McDavid and Draisaitl leading the attack, the Oilers remain dangerous every time they step onto the ice.
