Game Day Five: Jets vs Senators, Jan. 21
By
Daniel Chisholm
Hockey Content and Social Media Specialist
The set-up
Fresh off the first game of a back-to-back the Senators are set to play host to the Winnipeg Jets to wrap up their season series. The last time these two faced off Winnipeg got the upper hand at home walking away with a 5-1 victory. However, the last time these two faced off the Senators were missing some key pieces. Since then, Josh Norris and Mathieu Joseph have both come back into the fold and are ready to make an impact on the game. Norris
To say that this Winnipeg team one that makes the most of their chances almost feels like an understatement. They average 3.24 goals per game, the 12th best mark in the league, while only averaging 29.9 shots per game, the 10th worst mark in the league. Long story short when this team shoots they don't miss often. Led by the stellar play of forwards Kyle Connor, Pierre-Luc Dubois and Mark Scheifele with 55, 50, and 40 points respectively this team can score in bunches. Throw in defenceman Josh Morrisey with 49 points, trailing only San Jose's Erik Karlsson for most points by a defencemen in the NHL, this team is a threat in every phase.
This game, as most do at this point of the year, has a lot of playoff weight. The Senators continue to scratch their way into the pack for that last wildcard spot, while Winnipeg looks to tie Dallas for the division lead in the Central division. Expect both teams to come out of the gates screaming looking to put an early stamp on this game!
Roster notes
As it stands there are no roster updates to report. Any changes mentioned in head coach D.J. Smith's 4:30 media availability will be reflected then. Below is how the Senators lined up against Pittsburgh last night:
Forwards:
Tkachuk - Stützle - Batherson
DeBrincat - Norris - Giroux
Brassard - Pinto - Joseph
Kelly - Kastelic - Watson
Defense:
Chabot - Bernard-Docker
Sanderson - Hamonic
Brannstrom - Holden
Country night
Tonight is country night at Canadian Tire Centre and guest can expect a full house to enjoy the festivities! Fans will be treated to a concert during the intermission from Canadian country music star MacKenzie Porter, and many other country themed events throughout the night. Additionally, the first 5000 fans will receive an Ottawa Senators Country themed keychain to take home. Rumour has it there might be another special guest in attendance tonight, but you will have to wait and see…
Who to watch
Set to make his fourth start in his most recent recall from Belleville, Jacob Bernard-Docker continues to show growth in his game with each game he gets under his belt. In playing tonight the UND product is set to match his total games played over the last two seasons in just half a season this year! Head coach D.J. Smith has talked about the growth he has seen in Bernard-Docker each time he gets recalled and how he's going to make it harder and harder to reassign him to Belleville if he keeps up this growth.
Largely in part due to the maturity in his game and his ability to keep calm regardless of situation. Perhaps there is no better example than last night when he tried to intercept a pass intended for Sidney Crosby that ended up off his own stick and in the net. Many young defencemen in this league would have let that rattle their cage and impact their game. Bernard-Docker flushed the play and instead just played excellent defence, showed his skating chops and helped break the puck out in transition. That maturity this early on is a rarity and just one small part of the reason that Bernard-Docker has been forcing his way into the NHL ranks. Look for him to continue his strong, smart play here tonight and perhaps tally that first NHL goal he's been seeking.
Where to watch
For those not at Canadian Tire Centre, Saturday's game can be seen live on Sportsnet One and TVAS2. Fans can also tune into the radio call on TSN 1200 and Unique FM 94,5.
