Game Day Five: Bruins vs Senators, Dec. 27
By
Daniel Chisholm
Hockey Content and Social Media Specialist
The set-up
Back from a brief holiday break the Senators return to action tonight and are due for a battle with Boston. While Boston is the top team in the NHL right now having only lost four games in regulation. Of course, Senators fans will remember that one of those four losses came at the hands of the Senators during the home opener back in October. This time around the Bruins may pose the biggest challenge the Senators have faced yet, as they currently boast a top three scoring offence (3.88 goals per game), defence (2.18 goals against per game), power play (29.3%) and penalty kill (84.7%). A well-balanced attack, Boston boasts eight difference players with over twenty points this season, led by David Pastrnak with a staggering 24 goals and 47 points so far.
The Senators come into tonight with their top two lines intact for and ready to fire on all cylinders. While the top line of Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stützle and Claude Giroux carried the offence for much of the early parts of the season, the second line of Alex DeBrincat, Shane Pinto and Drake Batherson have filled the void in Stützle's absence. Now with both lines healthy and the chemistry is clicking, the top-six can showcase just how dangerous this Senators team can be, especially with the man advantage. So far this season the Senators are neck-and-neck with Boston boasting a 27.9% power play conversion, good for fourth in the league and the best in the NHL in the month of December. Look for the Senators to try to capitalize on that early and often here tonight against this strong Boston team!
Roster notes
The Senators recalled defenceman Dillon Heatherington and forward Jacob Lucchini from Belleville this morning. A few injury updates: Tyler Motte has a broken finger, Rourke Chartier has an upper body injury, while Brannstrom remains out with a lower body injury. Jacob Bernard-Docker is inching closer to returning from his high ankle sprain, and Mathieu Joseph skated today but will remain out. Below is how the Senators lined up during their skate at Canada Life Centre this morning:
Forwards:
Tkachuk - Stützle - Giroux
DeBrincat - Pinto - Batherson
Kelly - Gambrell - Lucchini
Brassard - Kastelic - Watson
Defense:
Chabot - Zaitsev
Sanderson - Hamonic
Heatherington - Holden
Arrive early to Canadian Tire Centre
For the second time in the last three home games the Canadian Tire Centre is SOLD OUT! With only a handful of standing rooms tickets available this is set to be the biggest crowd of the season so far. For fans attending the game that means you should plan to arrive early to beat the rush. Also, make your travel plans in advance. For those looking for parking at Canadian Tire Centre tonight here is the pricing for each of the lots:
General parking in lots 5, 6 and 9: $15 Lot 4: $35 Lot 1: $40 Valet/Limo: $60 Small bus: $60 Large bus: $75
Who to watch
After taking an awkward hit in the first period against Anaheim, forward Tim Stützle was held out of action for the remainder of that game and the four games that followed. Stützle made his return to the ice against Washington in what ended up being the Senators last game before the holiday break and wasted no time getting right back to work. Stützle tallied an assist on Drake Batherson's power play goal in the third period to send the game to overtime.
Stützle has left his fingerprints all over the Senators this season, scoring ten goals and 18 assists for 28 points, all on pace for career highs in his young career. He has been especially effective in the power play unit, with half of his points coming with the man advantage. Look for Stützle to continue his high level of play and help propel the overall threat of the Senators top-six attack.
Where to watch
For those not at Canadian Tire Centre, Tuesday'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.
