Game 25 Preview and Open Thread: Ottawa Senators @ Montreal Canadiens

The Ottawa Senators look to continue their reign of terror over the Montreal Canadiens tonight when they visit the Habs. As you may have heard, the Sens’ last meeting with the Canadiens produced such a resounding defeat that Montreal immediately fired Claude Julien and Kirk Muller. While I strongly doubt Dominique Ducharme, Julien’s replacement, is in similar jeopardy, another defeat to the bottom-dwelling Sens could add fuel to what is already something of a volatile situation. As for the Sens, well the vibes remain immaculate following one of the season’s best performance last night in a 5-1 victory over the Calgary Flames.

Here’s how DJ Smith is expected to line them up tonight:

Meanwhile, here’s how Montreal will line up:

#Habs vs #Sens
Tatar - Danault - Gallagher
Drouin - Suzuki - Toffoli
Lehkonen - Kotkaniemi - Armia
Byron - Evans - Perry

Chiarot - Weber
Edmundson - Petry
Kulak - Romanov

Price starting
Allen@TSN_Edge

— John Lu (@JohnLuTSNMtl) March 2, 2021

Games Notes:

• Tim Stützle was named Rookie of the month. Here’s a neat little behind the scenes video from the team’s Twitter account from when he found out:/

Go behind the scenes as Tim Stützle learns that he has been named NHL Rookie of the Month for February.#GoSensGo | Breakaway presented by @Bell pic.twitter.com/Ag8B3QyUQt

— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) March 2, 2021

• Unfortunately, Derek Stepan has been declared out for the season after an MRI revealed a torn labrum in his shoulder.
• Speaking of injured centres, Troy Man told TSN1200 today that Logan Brown will play the upcoming five game homestand with Belleville and that “Pierre and DJ” will make a call about what happens next at that point.
• Erik Brännström is back in the line-up for Bradyon Coburn after his one game visit to the press box  and Michael Haley draws in for Peca. Maybe DJ Smith is anticipating a rough and tumble affair tonight?
• Carey Price is back in net for Montreal, amidst what is shaping up to be something of a goaltending controversy. Price has had a rocky start to the year, to say the least, and the Habs need a lot more from their supposed star netminder.
• On a positive note for the Habs, Nick Suzuki is more than living up to the hype. If the Sens hope to take home two points, containing Suzuki will be one of the top priorities./

Puck drop is at 7pm EST, and you can watch on TSN5/RDS or follow along on TSN1200 radio.