Game 27 Preview and Open Thread: Ottawa Senators versus New York Islanders

We don't often get to see two teams playing on no rest, let alone at an unconventional start time so I won't hold my breath for a clean, defensively sound hockey game. Strap yourselves for some hijinks, folks. At least the Ottawa Senators got to sleep in their own beds last night (figuratively speaking, of course, for all I know professional athletes sleep in cryo-chambers). The Islanders played on Saturday night on Long Island and goalied the Hurricanes. That sounds about right. Could we see a battle of the back-ups today? Will Marcus Hogberg get the start against the team that drafted him? Will Travis Green start his ace on short rest? Either way, keep the wins coming, Ottawa.

Game Notes

• Contrary to my assumptions, Ottawa generates fewer expected goals per 60 and New York allows more xG per 60, at five-on-five. To reiterate my thoughts from Friday, the Sens really tightened up defensively without me even noticing (due likely to those occasional five-alarm collapses that readers quickly pointed out in the comments). Ottawa depends a lot on their top-six to convert on limited chances at five-on-five. Can they sustain this model? I don't see why not (I hope!)
• New York has had better shooting luck and goaltending at five-on-five so winning the shot battle will likely only amount to a moral victory for Ottawa. Preventing odd man rushes should remain at the top of Ottawa's to-do list (no listless line changes, please).
• The Islanders also generate more on the powerplay but can't convert. And the Isles allow less on the penalty kill but can't get a save. So for Ottawa, don't give New York any opportunities for powerplay shooting regression and also bury any chances Ottawa gets on special teams.
• The Islanders have a more disciplined team than Ottawa but can't draw penalties like Ottawa can (see Ottawa firmly in the chippy quadrant on your local stats site of choice). From a strategic standpoint I don't know if teams fare better or worse at five-on-five (as opposed to special teams) when playing the second half of a back-to-back.
• Go Sens Go

Injuries of Note:

Ottawa Senators: David Perron and Artem Zub

New York Islanders: Mathew Barzal, Anthony Duclair, Adam Pelech, and Mike Reilly

Where to watch/listen: TSN5 RDS2 TSN1200 @5PM EST

Lines from Last Game

Ottawa Senators

New York Islanders

Stats (courtesy of naturalstattrick.com)