Game Day Five: Kraken vs Senators, Jan. 7
By
Daniel Chisholm
Hockey Content and Social Media Specialist
The set-up
Fresh off a thrashing of Toronto, the Seattle Kraken come to town looking to extend their three-game win streak. Seattle has been a vastly improved team over last season, sitting in third place in the Pacific division with five games in hand on the second place LA Kings. A team that can truly attack you from all angles, Seattle has nine skaters with 20 or more points so far this season. That's why they are the fourth highest scoring team in the NHL this season at 3.54 goals per game, led by Jared McCann with 18 so far.
If Seattle does have an Achilles heel it is their penalty kill, the second worst unit in the league killing off only 68.9% of their penalties this year. Of course, that is an area the Senators are primed to strike on with the third best power play group in the league scoring a whopping 28% of the time when they have a man advantage. Led by Drake Batherson who has scored 10 of his 13 goals on the power play, twice the amount of the next closest Senator.
Following three days off the Senators will have a well-rested goaltending duo to rely on for tonight's game. Anton Forsberg started in the usual starters end of practice this morning, which while it doesn't guarantee anything, means he is the likely starter. Forsberg has been a brick wall in his last two starts allowing just one goal on 56 shots against Buffalo and Columbus good for a 0.982% save percentage. If this game comes down to a goaltending battle, the Senators are in a good position.
Roster notes
No injury updates to report ahead of tonight's game. Below is how the Senators lined up yesterday during practice at Canadian Tire Centre:
Forwards:
Tkachuk - Stützle - Giroux
DeBrincat - Pinto - Batherson
Kelly - Gambrell - Lucchini
Brassard - Kastelic - Watson
Joseph - Norris
Defense:
Chabot - Zub
Sanderson - Hamonic
Brannstrom - Holden
Past history
Given that Seattle only joined the league last season there is not much of a history between these two. As interconference foes they met twice last season, splitting the games with each winning on home ice. Fans who watched last season's inaugural match between the two at Canadian Tire Centre will remember Josh Norris potting the OT winner just 2:34 into the overtime period to seal the deal. Tonight one of these two will take a lead in the series until they meet again in March.
Who to watch
To say that Tim Stützle has been on a bit of a tear of late feels like an understatement. The 20-year-old forward has tallied points in six straight games including four goals in the last five games. Along with captain Brady Tkachuk, Stützle is the only other skater currently averaging a point a game this season with 35 points in 34 games, showing why he was the third overall selection in the 2020 NHL draft. Stützle has grown his game over the first two and a half seasons of his career and has improved production each year, due to set new career highs in all statistics again this season. Look for Stützle to continue his torrid pace, throw on a few dazzling moves and maybe light the lamp along the way here tonight.
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.
