Game 16 Preview: Ottawa Senators @ Philadelphia Flyers
A preview of the game between the Senators and Flyers on November 15, 2016.
Senators head coach Guy Boucher is looking for the team to get to the net and stay there. That's been the message all week long, and especially after the team's performance against Minnesota that saw them play mostly on the perimeter in the Wild's end.
Ottawa have scored two or fewer goals in regulation in each of their last nine games. They've managed only one goal in six of them. With the 30th ranked power play in the league, they'll look to spark their offense against a Flyers team that has had a bit of trouble on the penalty kill, boasting only a 78.0% success rate.
After leaving the game in the first period on Sunday and unable to return, Marc Methot is back in the lineup tonight. And while Andrew Hammond has been rumoured to be on the trading block, Mike Condon will back up Craig Anderson.
Here are the expected lines and pairings as reported by TSN 1200's Gord Wilson.
Ryan Dzingel - Kyle Turris - Bobby Ryan
Zack Smith - Jean-Gabriel Pageau - Mark Stone
Mike Hoffman - Derick Brassard - Tom Pyatt
Matt Puempel - Chris Kelly - Chris Neil
Marc Methot - Erik Karlsson
Dion Phaneuf - Cody Ceci
Mark Borowiecki - Chris Wideman
Craig Anderson
Mike Condon
Some notes for tonight:
- The Flyers' offense has proven deadly this season. Already with seven players in double digits in the point column, Philadelphia have scored the second most goals in the league.
- After failing to record a save percentage above .900 in his first four games, Anderson has been above the .900 mark the last seven games.
- The Senators penalty kill continues to impress as they haven't conceded a goal since October 22nd and are ranked 8th in the NHL.
- While Ottawa are in the top five in shots per game, they sit 28th in shooting percentage. Many have been saying this for a quite a few games, but once again, the goals will come.
- The defensive structure is working better than ever. Though the Senators have a poor Corsi rating, they are proving that patience and positioning works as the have the second most blocks per game and have given up the sixth fewest goals in the NHL./
Statistical preview:
Game day preview: It's the 30th ranked power play vs. the 2nd as the Senators are in Philadelphia to take on the Flyers. 7pm start, folks. pic.twitter.com/YiFJL0VwaD
— Sens Charts (@SensCharts) November 15, 2016
