Game Day Five: Senators at Coyotes, Jan. 12
By
Daniel Chisholm
Hockey Content and Social Media Specialist
The set-up
Making their first trip to the most talked about stadium in the NHL, the Senators are in Tempe and ready to take on the Coyotes at Mullett Arena. Both of these teams are looking to right the ship tonight coming off disappointing losses, though only one will walk out on top. The last time these two met, the Senators put up a big 6-2 win at Canadian Tire Centre behind two from Brady Tkachuk, while Shane Pinto, Josh Norris, Mark Kastelic and Tyler Motte all added one.
While the Senators are not happy about how the last two games have gone, this game could prove to be a jumping off point to get back to their identity. Boasting a top-six power play and penalty kill the Senators special teams have been on fire this season. The same has not been the case for their five-on-five play of late. Following a hard practice at Mullett Arena yesterday morning this group has been buckling down to address the issues in their even strength game as they try to get back to the team we all know they're capable of being. The team that Arizona saw the first time they met when Ottawa potted five even strength goals.
Arizona boasts several weapons that the Senators will have to be prepared for. Clayton Keller is nearly pacing to be a point per game player this season with 37 points in 40 games. Additionally, Shayne Gostisbehere, Lawson Crouse, Matias Maccelli and Jakob Chychrun all have over 20 points at the midway mark of the season. Having laced up for the team the last two games the Senators are also set to play recent World Junior gold medalist Dylan Guenther for the first time since the tournament. Guenther may have this game circled as he scored his first NHL goal against the Senators when Arizona came to town in October.
Certainly not a game to take lightly, the Senators will look to get back to their identity here tonight as they kick off their three-game Western Conference road trip.
Roster notes
At yesterday's practice head coach D.J. Smith confirmed that though Josh Norris and Mathieu Joseph continue to practice, they are not ready to return to the line-up yet. With no practice this morning, below is how the Senators lined up at the end of yesterday morning's practice at Mullett Arena:
Forwards:
DeBrincat - Stützle - Tkachuk
Giroux - Pinto - Batherson
Kelly - Gambrell - Lucchini
Brassard - Kastelic - Watson
Joseph - Norris
Defense:
Chabot - Zub
Sanderson - Hamonic
Brannstrom - Holden
NHL All-Star voting
Last week the NHL announced the player that was selected for each team to head to Florida for the All-Star weekend. Captain Brady Tkachuk was selected for the Senators, though the hope is he won't be the only Senators heading South! Fans can vote online for who they'd like to see here until 12am on January 17th. Alternatively, the Twitter vote opened this morning at midnight. Fans can tweet, retweet or quote tweet anything with the hashtag #NHLAllStarVote followed by the player's name, hashtag or twitter handle. For example: #NHLAllStarVote Drake Batherson, #NHLAllStarVote #DrakeBatherson or #NHLAllStarVote @drrakebatherson.
Cast your votes and help get more Senators in the festivities!
Who to watch
Tonight's game just so happens to coincide with Claude Giroux's 35th birthday! Giroux has played on his birthday six times in his career and has tallied a goal and four assists for five points in those games. A steadying force on the team this season, D.J. Smith has used Giroux to bring out the best in others games this season and recently played around with him playing with Shane Pinto and Drake Batherson. Look for Giroux to keep his scoring ways alive on his birthday here today as he looks to gel with Pinto and Batherson, or whomever else Smith may opt to line him up with.
Where to watch
Thursday's game can be seen live on TSN5 and RDS2. Fans can also tune into the radio call on TSN 1200 and Unique FM 94,5.
