Game 43 Preview and Open Thread: Winnipeg Jets @ Ottawa Senators

The Ottawa Senators are coming off their fourth straight loss, as well as a few trades from the back end. Tonight, they look to break their losing streak, and win their second game this season against the Winnipeg Jets.

While we’ve seen multiple good performances against teams like the Flames, Leafs, and even the Oilers, the Senators haven’t been able to put together a strong showing against the Jets ever since that 4-3 overtime loss early in the season. It’s unfortunate, since the Jets are actually one of the league’s weaker teams at driving play; they’ve been carried for the most part by a lethal power-play and world-class goaltending from Connor Hellebuyck, last seen shutting out the Montreal Canadiens in a 5-0 thrashing.

Despite scoring 5 goals against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Brady Tkachuk and Thomas Chabot were both held off the scoresheet Saturday. You have to expect both to bounce back in tonight’s tilt. Head coach D.J. Smith, likely in an effort to revitalize Tkachuk, has reunited him with his original partners, Josh Norris and Drake Batherson. You guys remember how dominant the three were early on, right?

Here is the full projected lineup for your Ottawa Senators, per TSN 1200:

Game Notes:

• Shane Pinto and Jacob Bernard-Docker are out of quarantine, and are practicing with the team for the first time today. Both could make their NHL debuts this Wednesday.
• The Senators will get  boost down the middle tonight, as Colin White will play for the first time since April 1st, where he suffered an upper-body injury against Montreal.
• Matt Murray has also recovered from his upper-body injury, and will serve as the backup to Anton Forsberg tonight.
• According to Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch, there is “a strong interest” from various teams in trading for Erik Gudbranson. There’s a chance the right-shot defensemen is moved before the deadline, but unless something changes, he’s in the lineup tonight.
• 3:04 PM UPDATE: Garrioch has just reported that the Senators have traded Gudbranson to the Nashville Predators for a 7th round pick in 2023. Presumably, Josh Brown will draw into the lineup to take his spot.
• After lighting the lamp on Saturday, Connor Brown is now the sole owner of the record for the longest goal-scoring streak in Senators’ history. On top of that incredible achievement, he’s shooting much more often, with 18 shots on goal in his last four games. I actually like that he’s playing in the bottom-six, as it gives all four lines the opportunity to contribute on the scoresheet.
• Fans of Erik Brännström will get to see him in action on the second pair for the first time tonight. He’ll be playing with Artem Zub, so there’ll be no excuses.
• VICTOR METE!?!?! This is a low-risk, high-reward waiver-wire pickup by Pierre Dorion. Sportsnet’s Kyle Buskauskas has confirmed Mete will play tonight.
• Tonight’s game will start at 7:00 PM EST, and will be available on RDS2, TSN3, TSN5, and TSN 1200./

Stats:

Team Stats

Player Stats