The Senators host rival Montreal Canadiens at Canadian Tire Centre for the first time this season
The set-up
For the first time this season the Senators will get to clash against their oldest and one of their biggest division rivals in Montreal; a battle that goes all the way back to the very first Senators game 30 years ago. Ottawa comes into tonight with having taken 13 points in their last 10 games, largely carried by their strong power play performance. Converting 27.4% of their power plays this season has the Senators gives the Senators the sixth best performance in the league, and in the last 10 games they've converted a whopping 36.6% of their power plays. The Achilles heel to their strong power play performance might be Montreal who boast a top-10 penalty kill killing off 80.8% of their penalties this season.
The Canadiens have performed well above where people thought they would be coming into this season. Largely led by their first line of Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki and Kirby Dach, now that Sean Monahan is out with injury, who have combined for 73 points and 34 of the teams 84 goals. The Senators will have their work cut out for them trying to slow down that line. Additionally, the battle in the face-off circle could make or break this game with Montreal winning 51.1% of their battles, while Ottawa sits fourth best in the league at 53.6% face-off win percentage.
Roster notes
With news that forwards Tim Stützle and Tyler Motte will be out at least a week with upper body injuries the Senators recalled defenceman Dillon Heatherington and forward Jacob Lucchini from Belleville this morning. Below is how the Senators lined up at practice at Canadian Tire Centre this morning:
Forwards:
Tkachuk - Brassard - Giroux
DeBrincat - Pinto - Batherson
Lucchini - Chartier - Gambrell
Kelly - Kastelic - Watson
Defense:
Chabot - Zaitsev
Sanderson - Hamonic
Brannstrom - Holden
Heatherington
Past History
Considering how often these two teams have faced off all-time they have nearly split their contests down the middle. In the 160 times they have seen each other, Montreal owns a narrow lead in the series 81-74 with 5 ties to boot.
Additionally, they have met twice in the playoffs. The Senators bested Montreal in five games in the first round of the 2013 playoffs, while Montreal edged Ottawa in six games in the first round of the 2015 playoffs. Ottawa looks to draw the season series closer to even with a win here tonight in this the latest chapter of the clash of these two division rivals.
Who to watch
Forward Parker Kelly has been an energy injection for the Senators every time he hits the ice this season. Though Kelly averages only around nine minutes per game this season it's hard to miss him buzzing around on the ice. Delivering crushing blows, always in the opponents face, and never one to shy away from protecting a teammate, Kelly makes his presence felt every second he is on the ice.
Kelly comes into tonight following tallying his first goal of the season last game against Anaheim. The celebration told it all with Kelly enthusiastically throwing his fist in the air after tipping Nikita Zaitsev's shot past the Anaheim goaltender. All that said Kelly remained his humble self following the game. "It felt a long time coming," said Kelly. "I'm young, going through some growing pains, I felt like I've been playing well of late. Just have to keep your mind with it and good things will happen." Look for Kelly to build off that strong play of late and you can be sure he'll be hungry to tally goal number two here tonight.
Where to watch
For those not at Canadian Tire Centre Wednesday, the game can be seen live on Sportsnet and RDS. Fans can also tune into the radio call on TSN 1200 and Unique FM 94,5.
Game Day Five: Canadiens vs Senators, Dec. 14
