Game 29 Preview and Open Thread: Ottawa Senators @ Edmonton Oilers

With their losing streak now at five games, the Ottawa Senators (11-16-1) will look to salvage the western swing of their road trip with at least one win, when they take on the Edmonton Oilers (17-9-3) tonight at Rogers Place.

DJ Smith has yet to name a starter for tonight’s contest. Anders Nilsson started in Vancouver last night, but was given the hook after allowing four goals in the first, and Marcus Hogberg played the remaining two thirds of the game. Whether Smith opts for the hot hand, or the rested hand, is anyone’s guess.

The Senators’ line combos were switched up a little to get things going last night, but you can once again expect it to look something like this:

Game Notes:

• How about Tyler Ennis? The Sens’ veteran acquisition scored his seventh goal of the season last night, which places him fourth on the team. Hopefully he can keep this pace up, allowing Ottawa to flip him for a decent return at or around the deadline./

#Sens get another one back just as the power play ends.

GOAL: Ennis (7)
ASSISTS: Chabot (14), White (4) pic.twitter.com/QTkJ06pS1M

— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) December 4, 2019

• Brady Tkachuk only had an assist last night, but man, he had some great chances for his 10th goal of the year. His presence creates offence whenever he’s on the ice, and the numbers don’t lie. Get Brady another elite player or two around him, and there’s no reason he can’t reach Mark Stone-levels of production./

xG leaders

Hands up if you had Brady Tkachuk creating as much xG as Connor McDavid heading into December. pic.twitter.com/azYLbmT0BL

— Sean Tierney (@ChartingHockey) December 3, 2019

• Marcus Hogberg looked a little shaky to start his appearance last night, and understandably so, but he settled in pretty well. Hoggy finished the game stopping 13 of 14 shots, and posting a .929SV%. He’s still searching for his first NHL win after six appearances, so if he gets the nod tonight, keep an eye out for the milestone game.
• For the Oilers, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are the NHL’s #1 and #2 in points scored, with 51 and 50 points, respectively. One thing I like about watching this young Senators team is seeing how they match up against the league’s best. Last week’s effort against the Boston Bruins was encouraging, so let’s see what the kids can do against Edmonton tonight.
• So, uh...Chris Tierney has gone 19 games without scoring a goal. Presented without comment./

As always, here are some stats. Courtesy of NHL.com and Natural Stat Trick.

Player Stats

Team Stats