Game 24 Preview and Open Thread: Ottawa Senators vs. Calgary Flames
Sens try to get back into the winning mode
After the Calgary Flames humbled the Ottawa Senators on Saturday, the Sens look to go back to their glorious ways of the 3 game winning streak. Last game, Brady Tkachuk had a quiet game until he scored that last Sens goal but it was Matthew Tkachuk who scored first and had the last victorious laugh. How will Brady react tonight? I am expecting at least 3 points from the young leader and a captain worthy game. Tkachuk isn’t one to shy from a challenge and the last two games have not been up to his standard of presence.
In a move that nobody can really understand, Brayden Coburn will be coming into the lineup in favour of Erik Brännström. While Brännström has made a few mistakes here and there, his game overall has been absolutely fantastic and his offense was just starting to come alive. But DJ Smith must strike again and after one loss, his panic moves take charge of this team’s fortunes.
Another interesting move by DJ Smith is starting Matt Murray in net. I can understand the logic of restoring Murray’s confidence after Saturday’s performance, but it seems like now could be the right time to see more of Joey Daccord. We’ll see how tonight goes, tons of games still left to play.
Here are what the lines are expected to be tonight against the Flames:
Paul - White - Dadonov
Stützle - Tierney - Batherson
Peca - Anisimov - Watson
Chabot - Zaitsev
Reilly - Zub
Coburn - Gudbranson
Murray
Player Stats
| Game 20 | Ottawa | Senators | Edmonton | Oilers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Player | # | Player | # |
| Goals | Brady Tkachuk | 9 | Connor McDavid | 16 |
| Assists | Thomas Chabot | 16 | Connor McDavid | 32 |
| Points | Thomas Chabot | 19 | Connor McDavid | 48 |
| Shots | Brady Tkachuk | 124 | Connor McDavid | 110 |
| Time on Ice/GP | Thomas Chabot | 25:36 | Darnell Nurse | 25:36 |
Player Stats
| Game 31 | Ottawa | Senators | Toronto | Maple Leafs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Player | # | Player | # |
| Goals | Brady Tkachuk | 10 | Auston Matthews | 21 |
| Assists | Thomas Chabot | 16 | Mitch Marner | 27 |
| Points | Thomas Chabot | 20 | Mitch Marner | 38 |
| Shots | Brady Tkachuk | 126 | Auston Matthews | 110 |
| Time on Ice/GP | Thomas Chabot | 25:33 | Morgan Reilly | 23:52 |
Game Notes
- Drake Batherson continued his scoring streak on Saturday, will he get another one tonight? It seems he has excelled at silencing any doubters and his game is as close to perfect as can be.
- Tim Stützle is doing everything right but the pucks aren’t going in for him as much as he would like and there are times where the frustration is visible. Maybe tonight he can get one to get him going.
- Anisimov has been an anchor between Batherson and Stützle so DJ Smith is experimenting with Chris Tierney who is often overlooked on the team. They certainly need a better centre but at this point Tierney may be a world class upgrade.
- Ryan Dzingel started skating with the team yesterday and will immediately make the team faster once he joins. Imagine Stützle centering Batherson and Dzingel? You cannot deny that line wouldn't be exciting but knowing DJ Smith, I doubt we see Stützle at centre this season.
- I like Matt Murray but it gets harder to defend him with each bad game, and there have been many. You could tell the team wanted to rally behind him on Saturday so maybe tonight he’ll be recharged and steal a game for us.
- Thomas Chabot praised the power play and I agree with him but the key here is consistency, it would also help if they stayed out of the box to balance the power play opportunities.
- You can watch the game tonight on TSN5, RDS or Listen Live at TSN 1200 for a 7:00PM start./
