Ottawa closed out last season winning nine of its last 12 games. The Senators are an improved team. They are 2-1 this season with home victories against the Maple Leafs and Stars.

The Senators are 7-0 in their last seven home games.

Brady Tkachuk is set for his season debut after signing a big contract. That gives the Senators two very respectable lines with Tkachuk joining Josh Norris and Drake Botherson for a top line and promising Tim Stutzle moving to the second line with Chris Tierney and Alex Formenton.

San Jose also is off to a nice start going 2-0 with a one-goal home win against the Jets and an impressive, 5-0, road shutout of the Canadiens two days ago.

I don't see the Sharks being much better this season, however. I'm far from sold on their goaltending. Their defensemen have big names, but their play has sharply declined with age.

Until upsetting Montreal, the Sharks had lost their previous six away contests. San Jose is 1-5 in its last six visits to Ottawa.