Game Day Five: Senators at Wild, Dec. 18
By
Daniel Chisholm
Hockey Content and Social Media Specialist
The set-up
Coming off a win in Detroit, the Senators come into the second half of this back-to-back looking to even the score against Minnesota after they dealt them a loss at home back in October. The Senators will have their work cut out for them as Minnesota is currently riding a four-game win streak and has gone 8-2 in their last ten games. It will be a familiar face in net today as Filip Gustavsson fills in. Gustavvson has been having a great season backing up Marc-Andre Fleury, going 6-4-1 in his 11 games, posting a 0.921% save percentage and 2.33 goals against per game. Additionally, the Senators will have to slow down the dynamic duo of Kirill Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello the leading goal scorers for the Wild with 18 and 13 respectively.
Of course, the Senators have been on a bit of a tear of late too, winning four straight and going 7-2-1 in their last ten games. This has largely been as a result of the power play which sits fourth best in the league at 28.8% on the season and a whopping 37% in their last ten games. Minnesota will have to be diligent in their defensive effort as the scoring has been well balanced for the Senators who have five double digit goal scorers already this season, with Alex DeBrincat knocking on the door with nine to be the sixth. Look for the second line of DeBrincat, Drake Batherson and Shane Pinto to continue their hot play of late here today to help the Senators edge Minnesota and take their win streak to a season high of five straight.
Roster notes
With Cam Talbot starting between the pipes yesterday against Detroit, it will be Anton Forsberg that gets the nod this afternoon against Minnesota. Additionally, forward Scott Sabourin was recalled from Belleville this morning. Below is how the Senators lined up during their game against Detroit yesterday:
Forwards:
Tkachuk - Brassard - Giroux
DeBrincat - Pinto - Batherson
Motte - Kastelic - Watson
Kelly - Chartier - Gambrell
Defense:
Chabot - Zaitsev
Sanderson - Hamonic
Brannstrom - Holden
D.J. Smith in the record books
Yesterday's game against the Detroit Red Wings saw head coach D.J. Smith tie former coach Paul MacLean for the second most games coached in franchise history with 238 games. Additionally, the win moved him into a tie for fourth most coaching wins in franchise history with Cory Clouston with 95. Today's game will see Smith take sole possession of second most games coached and a win would give him sole possession of fourth most wins and inch him closer to that 100-win mark.
Who to watch
Forward Tyler Motte wasted no time making his presence felt in his return to the line-up following a brief injury. Motte has built a reputation for being relentless on opposing defences, always aggressive on the forecheck and keeping the opposing goaltender on their toes. This culminated yesterday in Motte scoring a shorthanded goal, the fourth of his career, off a feed from Parker Kelly to all but wrap up the win against Detroit. The shorthanded goal was incredible, but it was his high-flying effort all game that netted him the Senators player of the game in the locker room. Look for Motte to build off this effort here today and continue to put the pressure on Minnesota.
Where to watch
Sunday's game can be seen live on TSN5 and TVAS. Fans can also tune into the radio call on TSN 1200 and Unique FM 94,5.
