Game Day Five: Senators at Blue Jackets, Apr. 2
By
Daniel Chisholm
Hockey Content and Social Media Specialist
The set-up
The regular season is quickly coming to an end and if the Senators want to keep their playoff aspirations alive every game counts now. Fresh off the first night of a back-to-back, the Senator will look to put a dent into the playoff race here tonight against Columbus.
The Senators have fared pretty well this season in back-to-backs, boasting a winning record overall and on the second game of the back-to-back. With an added fire under them here as they hope to keep playing meaningful games right up until game 82 (and beyond), look for the leaders of this team to make some noise. Of course, this team is built different and the leaders extend well beyond those with a letter on their jersey.
"The message for us is everyone is a leader here,"said captain Brady Tkachuk. "It doesn't matter if you just got here or if you're up and down. You don't have to be vocal to be a leader just play the right way, leave it all out there, doing it for one another, being a good teammate. Those are all leadership characteristics and everyone on our team has that."
Pretty strong words of encouragement from the captain and goes to show just how highly this thinks of this team and what they can accomplish as a group!
Columbus of course comes into tonight on the back end of their own back-to-back, having bene downed by Florida last night. Though it may be easy to look at the standings and think Columbus is ready for the offseason, they are a classic example of the parity in the NHL and a team that can't be taken lightly. Piling up wins against the Rangers, Hurricanes, Maple Leafs, Jets, Oilers, Sabres, and more this season, they have the ability to contend with anyone. Led by Johnny Gaudreau and Patrik Laine with 69 and 52 points, while their captain Boone Jenner has added 44 of his own, this team cannot be taken lightly.
Roster notes
The Senators recalled goaltender Leevi Merilainen from Belleville. With no morning skate below is how the Senators lined last night against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Canadian Tire Centre:
Forwards:
Tkachuk - Stützle - Giroux
DeBrincat - Pinto - Batherson
Joseph - Greig - Gambrell
Brown - Kastelic - Watson
Defense:
Sanderson - Zub
Brannstrom - Bernard-Docker
Kleven - Holden
Updated playoff race
With six games left in the Senators season below is how they stack up in the Wild Card playoff race:
Team: Points | Game remaining | Key games
New York Islanders: 87 | 5 | @ CAR, vs TBL, @ WAS
Florida Panthers: 85 | 5 | vs BUF, vs OTT, @ WAS, vs TOR, vs CAR
Pittsburgh Penguins: 84 | 6 | @ NJD, vs MIN, @ DET
Buffalo Sabres: 81 | 7 | @ FLA, @ DET, vs CAR, @ NYR, @ NJD, vs OTT
Ottawa Senators: 79 | 6 | @ CAR, @ FLA, vs TBL, vs CAR, @ BUF
Washington Capitals: 77 | 6 | vs NYR, vs FLA, vs NYI, @ BOS, vs NJD
Detroit Red Wings: 75 | 7 | @ TOR, vs BUF, vs PIT, vs DAL, @ CAR, @ TBL
Who to watch
As the regular season winds down and the Senators still try to make their playoff push they will turn to their leaders to take them as far as they can go. Brady Tkachuk dons the captain badge on his jersey for a reason and he shows it night in and night out both on and off the ice, and is a major factor in why it's game 77 and the Senators are still alive in this playoff fight.
When the chips have been down, he is most often the one to step up and provide a spark for the group. Just think about that first game at Madison Square Garden this year. Already smashing past his career highs in goals, assists and points set last season with 34, 44 and 78 respectively this year, look for Tkachuk to add to those totals as he continues to keep this fight going to the final bell!
Where to watch
Sunday's game can be seen live on TSN5 and RDS. Fans can also tune into the radio call on TSN 1200 and Unique FM 94,5.
