The most important fantasy storyline in Saturday’s New York Rangers–Ottawa Senators matchup is not which team has more points. It is who will handle the workload in goal, and how that uncertainty changes the outlook for the stars skating in front of them. With Linus Ullmark on injured reserve for Ottawa and Igor Shesterkin sidelined for New York, this October 24, 2026 game has a different scoring profile than its early-season defensive numbers first suggest.
Alexis Lafrenière has already scored eight times, Adam Fox has 14 assists, and Tim Stützle leads Ottawa with 15 points. Those are the players I trust most to drive fantasy production. But the matchup may swing on special teams: New York has killed 91.7% of its penalties, while the Senators are converting just 12.2% of their power-play chances. I will be watching whether Ottawa adjusts its first unit, whether the Rangers’ top line can attack its replacement goaltender, and which young players earn the high-leverage minutes. Here is how I see the fantasy matchup unfolding.
New York Rangers vs. Ottawa Senators Game Information
The Senators host this regular-season meeting at Canadian Tire Centre at 7 p.m. ET. Fantasy deployment takes priority over viewing details.
NHLTradeRumor.com • Game night
RANGERS7–4–1
SENATORS7–4–0
Broadcast availability can change and regional restrictions may apply. Check your provider shortly before puck drop.
New York Rangers vs. Ottawa Senators Fantasy Hockey Matchup Outlook
New York enters at 7–4–1 (15 points), Ottawa at 7–4–0 (14). Through 12 games, the Rangers have scored 37 goals and allowed 29: 3.08 for and 2.42 against per game. Ottawa has 29 goals for, 30 against in 11 games, averaging 2.64 scored and 2.73 allowed. New York has the stronger early goal differential.
I put more weight on special teams than the standings. New York’s power play is at 20.0% versus Ottawa’s 12.2%, while its penalty kill has operated at 91.7% versus 78.0%. That makes the Senators’ secondary power-play options riskier than their raw individual scoring rates suggest.
The Rangers are just 1–4–1 away, while Ottawa is 4–2–0 at home. This is their first meeting of 2026–27. Ottawa won the latest matchup 2–1 on March 23 and took two of three last season. I would not automatically project another low-scoring game with both clubs facing goaltending disruptions.
New York Rangers • 2026–27
Ottawa Senators • 2026–27
Through games of Oct. 23, 2026. Penalty-kill gap: 13.7 percentage points.
NHL Fantasy Players to Watch in Rangers vs. Senators
Alexis Lafrenière and Adam Fox give New York two paths to points
Lafrenière’s eight goals and 14 points in 12 games make him the Rangers’ most enticing goal threat, although his 34.8% shooting percentage is unlikely to last indefinitely. His projected partnership with Mika Zibanejad and Gabe Perreault provides chances. Fox has 14 assists and significant ice time; his playmaking gives him a different path to fantasy points.
Zibanejad has three goals and eight assists, plus value from faceoffs and likely PP1 minutes. Perreault, with four goals, is my upside choice if he remains in the top six. J.T. Miller and Pavel Dorofeyev also benefit if their projected power-play assignments hold.
Tim Stützle remains Ottawa’s fantasy engine
Stützle leads Ottawa with seven goals and eight assists in 11 games. Batherson has eight points, while Pinto and Giroux have seven each. Their fantasy ceilings depend on who gets sustained top-six and first-unit power-play time rather than points alone.
Sanderson is my defensive watch after returning from injury. With Thomas Chabot unavailable, he could quarterback PP1. Stephen Halliday has five points, but his fantasy value would rise most if his proposed first-unit role sticks.
NHLTradeRumor.com Fantasy Matchup Projection
My ranges are editorial estimates based on roles, not confirmed lines or power-play units.
NHLTradeRumor.com • Fantasy matchup projection
Alexis Lafrenière
Scoring wing • projected PP1
1–2 PTSEight goals in 12 games.
Adam Fox
Top-pair D • projected PP1
0–2 PTS14 assists in 12 games.
Mika Zibanejad
Top-line C • projected PP1
0–2 PTSFaceoff and PP1 upside.
Tim Stützle
Top-line C • projected PP1
1–2 PTS15 points in 11 games.
Drake Batherson
Top-six winger • projected PP1
0–1 PTSPower-play opportunities.
Jake Sanderson
Top-pair D • projected PP1
0–1 PTSMore PP1 responsibility.
These projections assume the player dresses and receives meaningful minutes. Point ranges are editorial estimates, not probabilities or guarantees. Power-play designations are projected, not confirmed.
Top Five Rangers and Senators Fantasy Scorers This Season
My scoring index divides each player’s points by his team leader’s total. New York has two players tied with 14, while Stützle has nearly twice Ottawa’s next-highest figure. The bars show where scoring has concentrated through October 23, not who is guaranteed to score tonight.
New York Rangers • 2026–27 scoring
Ottawa Senators • 2026–27 scoring
NHLTradeRumor.com Scoring Index: Each player’s point total is indexed against his team’s leading scorer. This visualization describes past production and is not a future projection. Through Oct. 23, 2026. J.T. Miller also has seven points.
For 2025–26 context, New York’s top five were Zibanejad (34–44–78), Panarin (19–38–57), Lafrenière (24–33–57), J.T. Miller (17–36–53) and Trocheck (16–37–53), with Fox also tied on 53. Ottawa’s were Stützle (34–49–83), Batherson (33–38–71), Cozens (28–31–59), Tkachuk (22–37–59) and Sanderson (14–40–54). These are historical totals; both rosters have changed.
Injuries and Absences That Could Affect Fantasy Value
Ullmark went 7–1–0 with a .945 save percentage before Ottawa placed him on injured reserve October 22. Samuel Ersson looks likeliest to replace him, with Jonas Johansson available, but no starter is confirmed. Ersson and Ottawa’s defense struggled in Thursday’s loss to San Jose, increasing New York’s potential scoring ceiling.
Chabot’s upper-body absence increases Sanderson’s possible minutes. William Eklund has an ankle injury and Kurtis MacDermid is on IR. Halliday and Fabian Zetterlund could benefit from deployment changes, but I would verify the morning-skate combinations.
New York is without Shesterkin (knee), Korpisalo (lower body) and Veleno (lower body). Dylan Garand is the likely goalie, with Spencer Martin available, but the starter is unconfirmed. Eeli Tolvanen’s personal absence also warrants a final lineup check.
New York Rangers vs. Ottawa Senators Fantasy Hockey Prediction
MY SCORE PREDICTION: NEW YORK RANGERS 4 – OTTAWA SENATORS 3.
I lean toward New York: its top scorers are productive, its penalty kill is strong, and Ullmark’s absence raises Ottawa’s defensive risk. The Rangers’ 1–4–1 road record and Stützle’s skill make this a one-goal call, not a comfortable win.
I favour Lafrenière for goals, Fox for assists and Stützle for Ottawa’s heavy offensive workload. I would approach either goalie cautiously until official confirmation. If Ottawa wins, its top unit likely drives the result; my Rangers-winning script features Lafrenière and Zibanejad.
What I’m watching: The development that matters more than the final score is whether Sanderson gets first-unit quarterback responsibilities, and whether Perreault remains attached to New York’s best offensive players. Those role signals can change a fantasy player’s value for weeks; one lucky bounce cannot.
How to Watch New York Rangers vs. Ottawa Senators
The game starts Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Canadian Tire Centre: 7 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. MT. Canada: Sportsnet East, Sportsnet 360, TVA Sports; Sportsnet+ where available. U.S.: NHL Network nationally and MSG in the Rangers’ local market. Radio: ESPN 880 (NYR), TSN 1200 (OTT).
Regional blackouts can limit streaming access when local or national broadcasters hold rights. Verify coverage by postal code or ZIP code before puck drop.
See our Rangers TV schedule, Senators TV schedule and 2026–27 NHL point leaders. While you’re here, join our NHL Fantasy Hockey Pool to test your GM skills and compete for bragging rights when entries reopen; the current pool is closed.
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