The set-up
The Senators will face a big challenge Thursday night as they welcome the league leading Vegas Golden Knights. Vegas has started off to such a staggering start led by their elite goaltending duo of Logan Thompson and Adin Hill who both rank in the top six for save percentage to start the season. Additionally, the Golden Knights blue line has limited foes to just 28.3 shots per game, good for the sixth fewest shots against per game in the league.
The Senators have shown out in bunches here at Canadian Tire Centre however. Fans will remember that during their opening five-game home stand the Senators took home eight of a possible ten points, outscoring their opponents 24-15. The Senators will look to build on that hot home start and put the Vegas goaltending to the test here tonight.
Roster notes
With Artem Zub still held out of action D.J. Smith has turned to Erik Brannstrom to pair with Thomas Chabot. The pairing offers a lot of speed and playmaking ability on the blue line. Smith also continues to tinker with the forward groups trying to find the optimal set up, moving Shane Pinto into the top line with Brady Tkachuk and Drake Batherson.
Below is how the Senators lined up this morning for practice at Canadian Tire Centre:
Forwards:
Tkachuk - Pinto - Batherson
DeBrincat - Stützle - Giroux
Motte - Kastelic - Joseph
Brassard - Gambrell - Watson
Kelly
Defense:
Chabot - Brannstrom
Sanderson - Hamonic
Holden - Zaitsev
Past history
Given that these two are interconference teams and Vegas being such a new team to the league, the two sides have only faced off eight times. Vegas has controlled the series taking seven of the eight matchups. However, these games historically have been high scoring and gone right down to the wire. Of the eight games, five have been decided by one goal, with one decided in overtime and one decided in a shootout, while averaging over six goals a game between the two.
Who to watch
Fresh off scoring his first goal of the season, Mathieu Joseph is someone to keep an eye on. Joseph poked the puck away in the defensive zone during a five-on-three that the Senators were on the wrong side of. That was no issue for Joseph who took off to the races, beating the Lightning to the puck and taking it the length of the ice for a breakaway that he sailed past his former teammate Andrei Vasilevskiy.
The speed and tenacity that Joseph brings to the ice was a big part of why the team sought him out last season. Though he hasn't gotten the results he's wanted yet this season, he averaged over a point per game as a Senator last season. Look for Joseph to build off of what he started in Tampa tonight against Vegas.
Where to watch
For those who won't be at Canadian Tire Centre, Thursday's game can be seen live on TSN5 and RDS at 7 p.m. Fans can also tune into the radio call on TSN 1200 and Unique FM 94,5
