Game Day Five: Flame vs Senators, Feb. 13
The set-up
With a game under their feet following the All-Star break the Senators are set to host the Calgary Flames looking to get back to their winning ways. Ottawa has won four of their last five games and looked to be taking at least a point if not more going into the third period against Edmonton. A couple break downs and unfortunate injuries led to Edmonton pulling away, but the Senators held their own playing against one of the league's top offences fresh off a break while Edmonton had two games to get their legs under them in advance.
Calgary comes into this game as a scarier foe than their position in the standing might have one believe. Currently sitting on the outside of the playoff pack looking in, though only due to Minnesota owning the tie-breaker, Calgary puts one of the stronger teams on the ice most nights. Fresh off putting up seven goals against a strong Buffalo team, this Calgary offence can put up goals in a hurry. A team that peppers opposing goalies with 35.5 shots per game, the second most in the league, Calgary is poised to give Mads Sogaard quite the welcome to the NHL in his first game this seaon. Led by Elias Lindholm, Tyler Toffoli and Nazem Kadri, each with over 40-points on the season. Additionally, the Flames have a fairly strong defensive group as well, with both goaltenders allowing fewer than three goals per game.
The Senators are ready to be tested with their new look back end with goaltender Mads Søgaard in net and Erik Brannstrom slotting into the top four defencemen. Brannstrom's offensive abilities will be an asset alongside Artem Zub and anchoring the second power play unit in Sanderson's absence. No offensive slouches themselves, the Senators are averaging 4.75 goals per game over their last four games and will look to continue that red hot pace here tonight. Look for the leadership group of Brady Tkachuk, Thomas Chabot and Claude Giroux to show what this team is capable of even while facing the adversity of the injuries they have faced!
Roster notes
Yesterday afternoon GM Pierre Dorion announced to media that goaltender Anton Forsberg will be out indefinitely with an MCL tear in both knees. Additionally, defenceman Jake Sanderson will be out 10-14 days minimum with an upper body injury. As a result, the Senators recalled Kevin Mandolese from Belleville to back up Mads Søgaard. Below is how the Senators lined up at practice yesterday morning at Canadian Tire Centre:
Forwards:
Tkachuk - Stützle - Joseph
DeBrincat - Greig - Giroux
Motte - Pinto - Batherson
Kelly - Brassard - Watson
Gambrell
Defense:
Chabot - Zaitsev
Brannstrom - Zub
Holden - Hamonic
Black History Appreciation Night
Fans at Canadian Tire Centre tonight will be able to celebrate celebrate Black History appreciation night with the Senators. The night will open with Mathieu Joseph taking a ceremonial puck drop with Tom Barber, whose uncle was an equipment manager of the original Ottawa Senators, Anthony Allain-Samaké and Koby Francis, who joined the Senators for practice on Thursday evening, and two local youths from the African Hockey Association. Additionally, there will be video content on the jumbotron telling the stories of the Black community in Ottawa. Lastly, various groups will be in attendance to take in the game and celebrate the night with the Senators!
Who to watch
Coming off scoring his first goal of the season after putting on a few moves on the breakaway against Edmonton, Erik Brannstrom is someone to watch here today. With Jake Sanderson out for the next 10-14 days Brannstrom will slot into the top four defencemen and jump into the second power play unit. Though the circumstances are not ideal, this is a real opportunity for Brannstrom to break out and continue his strong play!
Where to watch
Monday's 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.
