The upcoming matchup between the Ottawa Senators and the St. Louis Blues on November 28, 2025 at Enterprise Center presents a compelling contrast between a Senators team desperate to stabilize its season and a Blues squad that has begun to rediscover structure and confidence on home ice, making this a pivotal crossroads for both clubs as they try to build momentum heading into December. Ottawa arrives burdened by persistent defensive issues that continue to undermine an otherwise talented offensive core; despite possessing skilled forwards capable of creating chances in transition and manufacturing goals off speed, creativity, and opportunistic finishing, the Senators have been unable to sustain leads or protect their zone with consistency. Their most damaging flaw remains their defensive-zone coverage, where breakdowns in gap control, slow rotations, and difficulties clearing rebounds routinely lead to extended pressure shifts and high-danger chances against. This vulnerability becomes especially concerning against a St. Louis team that thrives when it can grind opponents down through low-cycle play, forechecking pressure, and heavy net-front presence. The Blues, while not flawless this season, have shown much more discipline at home, leaning on structured defensive layers, physicality along the boards, and a patient, possession-based approach that forces opponents into attritional hockey. Their ability to hold the puck low, win battles in the corners, and generate second and third opportunities from traffic is tailor-made to exploit Ottawa’s known defensive lapses, especially if the Senators struggle to exit the zone cleanly. St. Louis’s offense benefits greatly from its ability to rotate forwards and defensemen seamlessly, creating mismatches and tiring down opposition defenders, and if they establish this rhythm early, Ottawa may find itself chasing the play for long stretches rather than dictating pace.

Special teams loom large, as Ottawa’s penalty kill has been inconsistent and prone to conceding high-quality looks, while St. Louis’s power play, though not among the league’s elite, has been opportunistic enough to punish teams that give them multiple chances. Conversely, Ottawa’s power play carries the kind of shooting and playmaking talent that can break through disciplined penalty kills, making it imperative for the Blues to stay out of the box and maintain control of physical engagements. Goaltending stands out as perhaps the most decisive swing factor; Ottawa’s netminder will need to deliver a composed, technically sound performance with strong rebound control to keep the game within reach, while St. Louis’s goaltender must avoid offering the Senators’ offensive weapons clean second looks that could spark unexpected scoring surges. The game’s tempo will likely hinge on which team executes its identity more effectively: if Ottawa can use its speed to generate transition rushes, maintain puck support, and limit turnovers that feed St. Louis’s forecheck, they can turn this into a more open, skill-driven contest that plays to their strength; but if the Blues succeed in slowing the game, winning board battles, and forcing Ottawa into prolonged defensive shifts, the night could tilt quickly in St. Louis’s favor. Ultimately, this matchup offers a test of discipline and resilience for both sides: Ottawa fighting to prove it can tighten its defensive game and compete with structure, and St. Louis aiming to validate its home-ice advantage and build toward more consistent winning habits.

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