Game 31 Hub: New Jersey Devils @ Ottawa Senators
The devil's in the details...
The Ottawa Senators return home on a two-game winning streak, the first two wins of the (new) Jacques Martin era. They'll be in tough against a Devils team that has underperformed expectations this year but are liable to break out at any moment.
Here were the lines from this morning's skate, it's looking like Korpisalo is the starter and MacEwen is a healthy scratch:
Sens lines from the morning skate.
— TSN 1200 (@TSN1200) December 29, 2023
Tkachuk-Stützle-Batherson
Tarasenko-Norris- Giroux
Kubalik-Greig- Crookshank
Smejkal-Kastelic-Kelly
XXXX-XXXX-MacEwen
Sanderson-Zub
Chychrun-Hamonic
Brannstrom-JBD
Martin also had some important comments about the state of the team's goaltending this morning:
Martin added: "Goaltenders like Talbot, he’s a good example. Didn’t have a great year here, goes to LA and he’s one of the top in league."
— Claire Hanna (@clahanna) December 29, 2023
"They’re (Korpisalo and Forsberg) good goalies, they’re in the NHL for a reason and it’s our job as coaches to get the team in front of…
There's also gonna be a fun reveal before puck drop!
Ottawa's #PWHL team is announcing their Captain ahead of the #Sens game, and then the Captain will drop the puck for a ceremonial face-off.
— Claire Hanna (@clahanna) December 29, 2023
Jacques Martin said, "I think it’s important to support your other professional team in the City. There’s a place for them. The fact that…
Game Notes:
- Sens mostly practised their powerplay and penalty kill in recent practices, which, great idea
- Martin is optimistic that Chabot and Joseph will be back in early January. He hoped Chartier would be as well, but given Chartier has a concussion, he added that could take longer
- The Devils have also had two wins in a row, but are in a bit of a tailspin, sitting a point out of a Wild Card spot, and having returned promising young goalie Akira Schmid to the AHL to find his game
- A lot of digital ink has been spilled on the problems with Jonathan Huberdeau in Year 1 of an 8-year, $10.5M a year contract with only 15 points in 35 games, but for my money Timo Meier is right up there, in the first year of an 8-year, $8.8M with 15 points in 26 games. Of course, now that I've pointed this out he's gonna have a four-point night. Reverse psychology?