Game Day Five: Senators at Kings, Nov. 27
The set-up
Their fourth road game in seven nights, the Senators wrap up their West coast trip tonight in LA. A win tonight would give the Senators an even split of the trip, which will be their second longest road trip of the season when it's all said and done. The Kings should prove to be a formidable foe tonight, currently sitting tied for the ninth-best record in the NHL. The Kings reached this mark led by wingers Kevin Fiala who paces the team with 22 points and Gabriel Vilardi who leads the way with 11 goals. The Kings come into tonight's bout as winners of their last game against the San Jose Sharks.
The Senators come into Sunday's match as big winners over the Anaheim ducks, a full 60-minute effort that showed just how dangerous this team can be. Up until the final 3 minutes of play the Senators boasted a big five goal shut out effort before the Ducks were finally able to get one. Led by their special teams play, the Senators converted three of their eight power plays, while killing off all six of the penalties they incurred. Additionally, the Senators saw five different skaters convert on the day, truly showcasing the depth of this roster and what they are capable of any given night.
Look for the Senators to carry that effort from Anaheim into their game tonight in LA and finish this road trip on a high note.
Roster notes
With news of goaltender Anton Forsberg dealing with a lower body injury it is likely that Cam Talbot will get the start tonight against the Kings. However, Forsberg is day-to-day so we may see him back up tonight if he is ready and if not, we will see recently recalled goaltender Kevin Mandolese slot in to back up Talbot.
Below is how the Senators lined up at practice yesterday in at the Kings practice facility in El Segundo:
Forwards:
Tkachuk - Stützle - Giroux
DeBrincat - Pinto - Batherson
Motte - Brassard - Joseph
Kelly - Kastelic - Watson
Gambrell
Defense:
Chabot - Zub
Sanderson - Hamonic
Brannstrom - Holden
Thomson
Full strength defence
For the first time since October 27th the Senators mounted their full defence against Anaheim on Friday when Thomas Chabot rejoined the lineup. The impact of having a fully loaded defence was not lost on anyone, helping to hold the Ducks to just one goal and playing a huge role in killing off all six penalties.
Following practice today goaltender Cam Talbot was asked about the confidence having Thomas Chabot and Artem Zub playing together provides the team. "They just settle things down back there, they can play against the top lines and they play big hard minutes.," said Talbot. "Anytime you get those two back in the lineup that's huge for us."
On top of the return of Chabot and Zub the Senators continue to benefit from the continued growth and mature game of Jake Sanderson. We all knew of his offensive abilities as a defenceman coming into the NHL however, it has been his strong defensive play that has impressed the most. Averaging nearly 24 minutes per game during Chabot's absence Sanderson proved why he was a fifth overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft. On top of that Sanderson tallied his first career NHL goal in the Senators game against Vegas earlier this week.
Who to watch
Forward Mathieu Joseph tallied his first three-point game of the season against Anaheim on Friday afternoon. His final point of the game came when he scored the Senators fifth and final goal of the game, a goal he scored while he was falling to the ground.
Joseph has showcased his speed all season for the club creating a number of odd-man rushes and breakaway opportunities. None exemplified this better than when Joseph stole the puck and skated the length of the ice to score against his old club in Tampa while the Lightning had a two-man advantage. Look for Joseph to build off of his three-point game in Anaheim and utilize his speed to put his stamp on tonight's game against the Kings.
Where to watch
Sunday'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.
