Matt O'Connor to Make NHL Debut Tonight
Dave Cameron confirms that Matt O'Connor will start in the Senators' home opener against the Montréal Canadiens.
The Ottawa Senators will start Matt O'Connor in goal tonight for the home opener against the Montréal Canadiens. O'Connor's NHL debut seems to have come early than expected.
Dave Cameron confirmed today that in order to rest Craig Anderson after the large workload he dealt with last night against the Leafs, the Senators' rookie goaltender will see his first regular season action.
#Sens head coach Dave Cameron confirms that Matt O'Connor will start in goal tonight.
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) October 11, 2015 The Canadiens will be going with their backup as well, as Mike Condon also gets his first career NHL start.
Both goalies took similar routes to the NHL. While O'Connor spent three years with Boston University before signing with the Senators this summer, Condon went to Princeton for four years and signed with the Habs immediately afterwards.
Both goalies were also the shining stars in their respective team's preseasons.
Condon was 1-0-1 without letting in a single goal, while O'Connor went 2-0-1 and lead Senators goaltenders in SV% and GAA.
With Andrew Hammond out two weeks after suffering a groin injury, O'Connor will continue to backup Anderson until further notice.