Game 79 Preview and Open Thread: Ottawa Senators versus Montreal Canadiens
Mostly just for pride (but also probably for seeding)
You can look at tonight's Ottawa Senators game in a lot of different ways. Personally I don't have any vested interest in who the Sens face in the first round of the postseason. As long as the Sens go into the postseason as healthy as possible (extremely relative I understand (many moving parts here)). I can appreciate that beating Montreal means a lot in terms of bragging rights, vibes, and possibly the opportunity to play against Toronto in the first round. You never want to lose against Montreal, particularly at home, and a season series sweep would suck to the max. If the Sens do choose to rest some starters and eke out a win then that would be massively hilarious.
To make things even more interesting, Montreal can clinch tonight with a win and they currently have a six-game winning streak going while Ottawa needs to shake off a loss against Columbus (and the Sens no longer have the motivation of clinching). No matter how you slice it, the Sens don't need to win tonight's game by any measure but absolutely should for the sake of screw the habs forever.
Game Notes:
- Montreal has a pretty top heavy roster as you may expect with a wild card team. Ottawa needs to flex home ice advantage to limit that top line and top pairing.
- As we already know, Montreal has a 3-0 lead in the season series with a combined box score of 15-6 so yeah some redemption tonight would help everyone's ego in Ottawa right about now.
- Both teams have won six of their last ten but as mentioned Montreal seems due for a loss after six straight wins and Ottawa needs to shake off a real clunker in Columbus.
- Montreal's goaltending has come back down to earth with a team save percentage of 88.9 on the season (you know what to do). Expect Samuel Montembault to start tonight.
- We still await a goaltending announcement from the Sens.
- Montreal has more of a lucky (18.33% shooting) powerplay than a good one (6.8 xGF/60) so we can hope that regressed. They have a legitimately better (8.5 xGA/60) and luckier (86.61% save) penalty kill than Ottawa.
- Like most matchups for Ottawa, the opponent creates more five-on-five offence (2.57 xGF/60) but also concedes more at five-on-five (2.87 xGA/60) and I like to bet on lower-event hockey for long-term success.
Ottawa Injuries: As far as we know, the Sens will rest Tkaptain Tkachuk until the playoffs start. Nick Cousins could return tonight. Rest anyone who asks for the game off tbh.
Montreal Injuries: Kirby Dach, Emil Heineman, David Reinbacher
Where to Watch/Listen: RDS, SN, TSN1200 @7PM EST
