Game Day Notes: Game #71 - Sens @ Kings
by Craig Medaglia @craigmedaglia / Ottawa Senators
The Sens close out the California leg of their trip tonight at 10:30 p.m. against the Los Angeles Kings and we've got the latest pre-game news and notes to help get you to puck drop.
Line-up notes
Sens head coach D.J. Smith met with the media this evening in L.A. and confirmed that he'll use the same line-up as last night's loss in Anaheim. Despite dropping a 5-2 decision to the Ducks, the Sens actually outshot Anaheim 42-15 yesterday so Smith is hoping to amp up the offence against a Kings' squad that has been particularly stingy of late.
"These guys are giving up no goals," Smith said about tonight's opponent. "They've given up one goal against or less in their last 5 or 6 games so we'll have to find ways to score."
"We just have to start on time today," the coach added. "We need to put the puck in deep and wear their defence out a little more."
Video: OTT @ LAK | Coach Pre-game
Here's a look at the Sens' projected line-up tonight against the Kings:
Tkachuk - Tierney - Brown
Balcers - White - Ryan
Duclair - Paul - Hawryluk
Boedker - Peca - Sabourin
Chabot - Hainsey
Reilly - Zaitsev
Englund - Wolanin
In goal
Craig Anderson (11-16-2) gets the nod in net for the Senators tonight and he'll be looking to lock down his third consecutive win. Anderson combined to stop 68 of the 72 shots he faced in victories over the New York Islanders and San Jose Sharks last week for a .944 sv% and 1.99 GAA combined statline in his two most recents starts. Marcus Hogberg will be on back-up duty.
Previous meeting
These teams last faced off earlier this season on Nov. 7th, 2019 in Ottawa where the Sens earned a 3-2 overtime win against the Kings. Anthony Duclair, Artem Anisimov and Jean-Gabriel Pageau provided the offence for the Senators on that night while Anders Nilsson held down the fort at the other end, stopping 26 of the 28 shots he faced to earn the decision.
"I think we had a strong showing there for 60 minutes," Duclair said post-game. "Nilsson helped us all game; he played a great game. We definitely wanted to go into overtime and get that extra point for him."
Full highlights from that game below:
Video: Pageau nets overtime winner to lift Sens past Kings
Where to watch
It's another late start tonight out west with puck drop in Los Angeles set for 10:30 p.m. and here's all the ways you can catch the Sens and Kings tonight...
BROADCAST: TSN5, RDS
RADIO: TSN 1200, 94,5 Unique FM
Need a spot to catch tonight's game? Well grab some friends and head on over to St. Louis Bar & Grill (1331 Clyde Ave.) where they'll be serving up 23oz Devils pints of Molson Canadian for just $7.98 all game long.
To find out where our next watch party will be and specials you can enjoy, visit the full schedule click here.