Game Day Five: Canadiens vs Senators, Jan. 28
By
Daniel Chisholm
Hockey Content and Social Media Specialist
The set-up
What more can one ask for than back-to-back rivalry games! Fresh off a dusting of Toronto at Scotiabank Arena, the Senators are back home to take on the Montreal Canadiens.
The Senators have shaken up their line combinations and already have seen a new punch to their game. If you were to ask anyone from the team what the key to their back-to-back victories has been since the change it would be speed. "We're playing fast in all aspects of our game," said captain Brady Tkachuk. "D-zone, transition into the offensive zone we're finding that pace that we were missing for a little bit." That speed and consistency they have found is paying dividends as they potted six goals against Toronto, a critically underrated defensive team, last night. The Senators will look to continue pushing that pace as they try to close out this home-and-home series with Montreal and ride into the All-Star break on a high note chasing that last playoff spot.
Montreal comes into tonight as a bit of an enigma. A team that has at times this season outperformed what they were supposed to be now finds themselves trying to recapture their identity. Dealt a major blow with Cole Caulfield sitting out the remainder of the season with a shoulder injury requiring surgery, Montreal will have their hands full filling that void. A situation the Senators can empathize with. That said, Montreal seems to have a habit of hitting their stride in these rivalry games, and perhaps winning the games that people write them out of prematurely. Just last week they downed Toronto in an overtime effort at home, and four days before that they put on a clinic beating Winnipeg 4-1. All that is to say that this Montreal team cannot, and should not be taken lightly.
As mentioned before, these games tend to bring out the best in both sides. The last time these two faced off it went right to the wire with the Senators eeking out a 3-2 win following a strong comeback effort from Montreal in the third period. Expect much of the same tonight as both sides refuse to let their foot off the gas to get the edge in this rivalry match up!
Roster notes
Yesterday afternoon the Senators recalled defenceman Jacob Larsson from Belleville. Aditionally, given that Anton Forsberg got the start last night in Toronto there is a good chance that recently recalled goaltender, Kevin Mandolese will make his NHL regular season debut tonight. Below is how the Senators lined up against Toronto last night at Scotiabank Arena:
Forwards:
Tkachuk - Stützle - Joseph
DeBrincat - Greig - Giroux
Brassard - Pinto - Batherson
Kelly - Gambrell - Watson
Defense:
Chabot - Holden
Sanderson - Hamonic
Brannstrom - Zaitsev
Reverse Retro
For those in attendance at Canadian Tire Centre tonight the Senators will be donning their reverse retro jerseys for the last time this season! Inspried by the Senators first "third" jersey in 1997, the jersey boasts large curves across the body. Additionally, the centurion logo on each shoulder, with today's logo emblazoned on the chest.
Tonight's game will act as the proverbial tie breaker for this iteration of the reverse retro jerseys as the Senators are 2-2 so far when donning them. Losses to New York and Pittsburgh countered by wins over Anaheim and Buffalo. It seems fitting that Montreal of all teams will be the decider in the Senators record wearing these jerseys. Soak up every last second of the reverse retro jerseys on the ice and stop by the team shop to get your own!
Who to watch
Leading by example would be the perfect way to characterize Thomas Chabot's performance against Toronto last night. In the midst of his sixth full NHL season, Chabot boasts leadership qualities well beyond simply donning the "A" on his jersey. Night in and night out he leaves it all on the ice. When things aren't going well he's the first to hold himself accountable, when things are going well, as they did last night, he's the first to credit his teammates for an all-around team win. Plain and simple Chabot is a leader.
On top of being a leader he is also a pretty darn good hockey player! Last night in opening the scoring against Toronto just 90 seconds in to the game, he surpassed his goal scoring mark from a year ago just 43 games into this campaign. Chabot is having one of his best offensive seasons of his career while also anchoring the blue line and helping spur the growth of young defencemen like Jake Sanderson, Erik Brannstrom, Jacob Bernard-Docker and more. With eight goals and 18 assists through 43 games, Chabot is on pace to have his second best offensive season of his young career!
Look for him to continue pushing the pace, breaking out pucks and locking down the defensive zone against rival Montreal here tonight!
Where to watch
Saturday's game can be seen live on CBC, Sportsnet and RDS. Fans can also tune into the radio call on TSN 1200 and Unique FM 94,5.
