Game Day Five: Blues vs Senators, Feb. 19
By
Daniel Chisholm
Hockey Content and Social Media Specialist
The set-up
Looking to get revenge for their match up just over a month ago when St. Louis edged the Senators 2-1, Ottawa looks to build on their recent hot play. With points in six of their last seven games, the Senators continue their push for a postseason spot, sitting just seven points back of the Islanders, who they beat last week, with five games in hand for the final wild card spot. Head coach D.J. Smith appears to be shuffling the line combinations coming into this bout, moving Claude Giroux alongside Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stützle while also moving Drake Batherson and Shane Pinto up to play with Alex DeBrincat. The offence this top six is capable of is staggering on any given night and clearly Smith is looking to establish a big presence early against this Blues team. While he mentioned that we should not expect these combinations to persist beyond today, it will be fun to watch the chemistry unfold while we have it!
While St. Louis has a near identical record to the Senators at this point in the season, this is not the same group the Senators saw a month ago. Recently trading away two key pieces of their group in Vladimir Tarasenko and Ryan O'Reilly, St. Louis is clearly transitioning into a rebuild phase of their organization, favouring youth over their veterans. All that said, they still boast four 40-point scorers led by their young centreman Jordan Kyrou with 25 goals and 29 points for 54 points. Since coming back from the break St. Louis has won three of their four games, outscoring their opponents 17-13 in that stretch.
Expect the Senators to come out full force looking to right the ship after their overtime loss to Chicago, though don't think St. Louis will just roll over, this should be a fun one!
Roster notes
Head coach D.J. Smith mentioned at his media availability yesterday that forward Austin Watson skated with the team after being held out with an illness against Chicago. If healthy, expect him to lace up his skates here today. With no morning skate today below is how the Senators lined up at yesterday's practice at Canadian Tire Centre
Forwards:
Tkachuk - Stützle - Giroux
DeBrincat - Pinto - Batherson
Brassard - Greig - Joseph
Motte - Gambrell - Watson
Kelly
Defense:
Chabot - Zaitsev
Brannstrom - Zub
Larsson - Hamonic
Star Wars day
Fans in attendance at Canadian Tire Centre will get to take in the Star Wars theme all game long. The first 5000 in attendance will receive a Sens themed lightsaber to commemorate the game. Additionally, there will be Star Wars characters all around the stadium for fans to see. Lastly, there will be special Star Wars themed video content on the video board for all to enjoy. Perhaps even a special introduction…
Who to watch
With his goal against Chicago, forward Brady Tkachuk tied his career high with a five-game point streak. With eight points over that stretch, Tkachuk is quickly approaching his career highs in goals, assists and points already at just the 55 game mark this season. Currently he sits at 23 goals and 34 assists for 57 points while his career highs that he set last season are 30 goals and 37 assists for 67 points. With continued hot play look for Tkachuk to set a new career high for a point streak here today while also inching closer those career marks from a year ago.
Where to watch
For those not at Canadian Tire Centre, Sunday's game can be seen live on TSN5 and TVAS. Fans can also tune into the radio call on TSN 1200 and Unique FM 94,5.
