Preseason Game 6 Hub: Ottawa Senators @ Detroit Red Wings
The Sens (temporarily) jettison one fiery rivalry for another...
A back-to-back in the regular season is something that shouldn't happen, let alone the preseason, but it's the situation both the Senators and the Red Wings find themselves in tonight – just on opposing ends. The Senators are rested for the first-half of a back-to-back, while the Red Wings are in the middle of a three-in-three to end their preseason – Toronto yesterday, Ottawa today, and Toronto tomorrow.
After suffering through injury scares to some of their top players last time out versus Montréal, Travis Green and company are fielding an AHL-heavy lineup. We don't have projected lines, but here's who is expected to play:
The Sens players that ARE going to Detroit for tonight's game are:
— TSN 1200 (@TSN1200) October 4, 2024
Tokarski, Forsberg, Addison, Jenik, Highmore, MacEwen, JBD, Sebrango, Ostapchuk, Hodgson, Kleven, Roos, Reinhardt, Boucher, Yakemchuk, Crookshank, Greig, Gregor, Gaudette, Halliday.
After going with their NHL lineup yesterday (disregarding JT Compher) in a 2-0 loss to Toronto, we've yet to see what Detroit will counter with due to their morning skate being optional. Guess we'll wait and see who's dressed to start the game!
Game Notes
- The fourth-line centre battle will probably decide itself tonight, with all four of Ridly Greig, Jan Jeník, Zack Ostapchuk, and Adam Gaudette in the lineup. I'm curious how the coaching staff will spread the offensive talent on the wing – would a player rather lineup with the skill of Crookshank and Halliday or the "NHL-ready" Gregor and MacEwen?
- The same is true on the blueline, and it'll be interesting to see how much ice-time Calen Addison, Jacob Bernard-Docker, and Carter Yakemchuk each get with Tyler Kleven.
- Another gauge of where the coaching staff sees each player is seeing who's on each penalty kill unit. With the NHL powerplay accounted for, the PK is where a player – forward or defender – can showcase some added value tonight.
- In doing research for this piece, I found out that ex-Sens forward Alex Chiasson was attending Detroit's camp on a PTO. He was released two days ago.
- Detroit's primary roster battle appears to be at forward, with prospects (and high picks) Marco Kasper, Carter Mazur, and Nate Danielson fighting for one roster spot. Ex-Sens Vladimir Tarasenko, Tyler Motte, and Alex DeBrincat are all pretty well promised roster spots.
