Game Day Five: Senators at Canadiens, Jan. 31
By
Daniel Chisholm
Hockey Content and Social Media Specialist
The set-up
For the second time in three nights the Senators are set to face-off against long-time rival Montreal; this time on Montreal's home ice. A win tonight would send the Ottawa Senators into the All-Star break on a four-game win streak and just six points back of a wild card spot.
Ottawa comes into tonight boasting a bevy of offensive weapons, with five 40+ point scorers already this season. However, one thing not mentioned as often as their fist full of 40+ point scorers is the performance of their two stellar rookies. Shane Pinto and Jake Sanderson have both lived up to their hype and then some each collecting 20 points just past the mid-point of the season. The importance of this tonight is that it shows that to stop this Senators team is not to just shut down the top six forwards, it takes a full team effort for 60 minutes, especially the way they have been playing of late.
Pinto and Sanderson have collected their points in two very different manners. Shane Pinto has shown just how lethal his shot can be, lighting the lamp 12 times this season. Jake Sanderson on the other hand has been quite an effective playmaker with 18 assists. Getting shots on net, and breaking the puck out in transition have been staples of his game thus far.
Meanwhile Montreal has proven to be a team that plays to their competition this season, challenging teams to give their best effort whether they are a division leader or a draft lottery pick. They showed the Senators that first hand in December when it seemed like Ottawa had an easy win heading into the third period with a 3-0 lead. Just over 13 minutes into the third, Montreal had potted two and took the Senators right down to the wire before Ottawa eeked out the win. Led by team captain Nick Suzuki and Kirby Dach with 38 and 32 points respectively, expect this pesky Montreal team to hang around the full 60 minutes tonight as they seek revenge for the other night.
Roster notes
The Senators reassigned goaltender Kevin Mandolese to Belleville Sunday morning and in a corresponding move they recalled goaltender Mads Sogaard from Belleville yesterday morning. Following a day off to recover, defenceman Thomas Chabot is set to skate tonight in his usual top line spot. Defenceman Artem Zub also skated with the team on Monday for the first time since sustaining a lower body injury against Colorado. Zub will not play against Montreal but is expected to return to the line-up following the NHL All-Star break. With an optional skate held this morning at Bell Centre, below is how the Senators lined up at practice yesterday morning at Bell Sensplex:
Forwards:
Tkachuk - Stützle - Joseph
DeBrincat - Greig - Giroux
Brassard - Pinto - Batherson
Motte - Gambrell - Kelly
Kastelic - Watson
Defense:
Sanderson - Hamonic
Holden - Zub
Brannstrom - Zaitsev
Thriving new line combinations
Head coach D.J. Smith did not beat around the bush following a disappointing loss to the Winnipeg Jets just 10 days ago. Goals weren't coming as expected and there needed to be changes made in a hurry. Well since that game the Senators recalled Ridly Greig from Belleville to slot in between Claude Giroux and Alex DeBrincat, moved Mathieu Joseph to the first line to add some speed alongside Tim Stützle and Brady Tkachuk, and moved Drake Batherson to play alongside Shane Pinto and Derick Brassard. Three more balanced lines leading to an onslaught for opposing defences.
Since that move that Senators have outscored their opponents 13-3. However, more important than simply the 13 goals is how they have come. Of those 13 goals, nine have been at even strength and one was a shorthanded goal provided by Mathieu Joseph (though an empty netter). A problem this team has dealt with most of the season is the lack of even strength offence. Well that problem seems to be well on it's way to being dealt with.
Who to watch
Fresh off being named the NHL First Star of the Week, how could Claude Giroux not be the player to watch today! In the midst of his 15th full season in the NHL, the savvy veteran is on pace for 79 points which would be good for the fifth best season of his career. Of course, his recent stretch helps that cause, having scored seven points in his last three games. His best game of late came in the Senators last match up against Montreal just three nights ago when he scored twice and added the lone assist on Alex DeBrincat's opening goal. Look for Giroux to continue that torrid scoring pace here tonight and head into the All-Star break on a high note.
Where to watch
Tuesday's game can be seen live on TSN2, TSN5 and RDS. Fans can also tune into the radio call on TSN 1200 and Unique FM 94,5.
