Game Day Five: Panthers vs Senators, Mar. 27
By
Daniel Chisholm
Hockey Content and Social Media Specialist
The set-up
Nine games left in the regular season, seven points separating the Senators from the playoffs and just four points between them and Florida. Suffice it to say tonight's game is riddled with playoff implications as there are now six teams separated by just eight points fighting for the final two spots in the Eastern Conference.
The Senators hope to capitalize tonight on a string of recent strong performances. Big wins against Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay and taking Colorado, Toronto, Boston and Carolina right to the very end. While the results haven't been going their way, the resiliency this group has shown down the stretch of the season has been admirable. Led by budding super star, Tim Stützle and captain, Brady Tkachuk with 81 and 75 points respectively the Senators will look to right the ship tonight when it matters the most!
Florida comes into tonight on a three-game slide and looking to get back to their winning ways. That being said, this group has gone 6-3-1 over the last ten games and had registered a nine-game point streak right before their last three. This group can score in bunches averaging 3.47 goals per games, the sixth most in the league, led by Matthew Tkachuk on the verge of a second 100-point season sitting at 97 coming into tonight.
One way or another this game should prove to be a thrilled with both teams scratching for that final playoff spot!
Roster notes
Below is how the Senators lined up during morning skate at Canadian Tire Centre:
Forwards:
Tkachuk - Stützle - Giroux
DeBrincat - Pinto - Batherson
Brassard - Gambrell - Joseph
Brown - Kastelic - Watson
Gauthier
Defense:
Sanderson - Zub
Chabot - Hamonic
Brannstrom - Holden
Kleven
Battle of the Tkachuk's
Tonight marks the 19th Battle of the Tkachuk's, and just the second within the Atlantic Division. Thus far the series is split right down the middle with each brother taking nine games. Matthew has been on the winning side the last two games, including when they first faced off with him as a member of the Florida Panthers in October. In that game, both brothers found the back of the net, and will be looking to strike here early and often again tonight.
Who to watch
Florida is a team that has built a reputation this season for peppering the opposing goaltenders with shots, leading the league with 36.9 shots per game. With that it will be crucial full team effort to limit the opportunities. The team will look to the leader of their defence, Thomas Chabot to lead the charge. Chabot has been lights out since coming back from his lower body injury, scoring twice in his last four games to give him 11 goals on the season, encroaching on his career high mark of 14. Look for Chabot to add to that tally as he leads the way to limit chances on net tonight!
Where to watch
For those not at Canadian Tire Centre, Monday's game can be seen live on Sportsnet One. Fans can also tune into the radio call on TSN 1200 and Unique FM 94,5.
