Game Day Notes: Pre-Season Game #3 - Sens vs. Canadiens

The Sens are set to host their final home pre-season game of 2019-20 this evening against the Canadiens and we've got the latest news and line-up notes to get you ready for puck drop our 7:30 p.m. Canadian Tire Centre.

First look at Chabot/Zaitsev

For the first time this year, and fresh off
signing his 8-year extension
on Thursday, Thomas Chabot will draw into pre-season action and, as expected, he'll be paired up with Nikita Zaitsev tonight against Montreal.
"He's a great player," said Zaitsev about Chabot. "He's a very talented guy who moves the puck really well so I just want to try to help him with more D things in our zone. Just to let him do his own things because he's a hell of a player."
The duo have been a consistent pairing for head coach D.J. Smith throughout training camp and the coach is looking forward to seeing them in a game situation for the first time.
"There's going to be some kinks to work out for sure since they haven't played a real game together," Smith said. "But (Zaitsev)'s style of breaking up plays in the D zone is going to allow Chabot to jump into more rushes."

Building chemistry

The line of Drake Batherson, Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Anthony Duclair will get their second opportunity this pre-season to continue to develop some chemistry together. Their line was solid in Tuesday's win against the Maple Leafs in St. John's with Duclair scoring an empty net goal to seal the 3-1 victory in the pre-season opener.

"I think we all bring a little something different to the table," Batherson said following today's skate. "Duclair uses his shot a lot, I'm more of a disher and Pageau is a 200-foot player so we all bring something different and that's why we've had some chemistry to start off."
Smith shared that Batherson's size and speed are deceptive and the young winger possess the necessary skills to make an impact on the ice at the NHL level.
"Drake is a lot bigger of a guy on the ice than you see from up top," said the coach. "I see this guy being able to score some goals and become a real power forward in this league."

Lines and pairings

No real surprises for tonight's projected line-up but some injury news to pass along that does have some ramifications on past combos. For starters, Vitaly Abramov remains sidelined with a concussion which means that Jonathan Davidsson will take his spot on a line with Josh Norris and Alex Formenton. Filip Chlapik, who resumed skating this week, has been given the green light to return from injury and draws into his first pre-season game of the year flanked by Morgan Kilmchuk and Max Veronneau.
Here's a look at projected forward lines and defence pairings for tonight's game…
Tkachuk - White - C.Brown
Duclair - Pageau - Batherson
Formenton - Norris - Davidsson
Klimchuk - Chlapik - Veroneau
Chabot - Zaitsev
Lajoie - DeMelo
Englund - Goloubef

In Goal

The coach shared yesterday that Craig Anderson will get the nod in net tonight and is expected to play the first two periods before handing over the crease for the final frame to Joey Daccord. Daccord made his NHL debuta and only appearance for the Senators on the road last season and is looking forward to seeing some action at Canadian Tire Centre for the first time.
"I was really hoping to get into a pre-season game so tonight's opportunity is huge," said Daccord. "Every chance you get to play is an opportunity to make an impression and showcase yourself so that's exactly what I'm going to try and do."

Where to Watch

It's a 7:30 p.m. start tonight (doors open at 6:30 p.m.) and some tickets are still available if you'd like to come join us in person. You can pick up your seats
right here
and we'll see you at Canadian Tire Centre shortly.
Stuck at home? Can't sneak away? We got you covered…catch all the action live on TSN5 and TSN 1200.