The set-up
The Sens (5-15-1) snapped a six-game losing streak with a gutsy 3-2 win in Carolina Thursday night.
Colorado (12-7-1) are on a roll right now having gone 8-2-0 in their last 10 games. Since the start of November, the Avs have scored two or less goals just twice in 12 games. The Avs sit fifth in the Central Division.
The Avs are the highest scoring team, unsurprisingly, in the NHL as they average 3.95 goals per game and have scored 32 road goals in 10 contests. They do give up goals as well however, ranking seventh at 3.25. The Sens allow 3.86 goals per game, the most in the NHL.
With 17 power play goals, the Avs rank tied for fourth in that category. The Sens have scored 12 times on the man advantage and convert 16.9 per cent of the time. They're successful 18.9 per cent of the time on home ice.
When Colorado scores first, they are 9-0-1 while Ottawa has won just once in 13 attempts when they concede the opening goal (Oct. 17 vs. Dallas).
Ottawa is 3-8-0 on home ice this year while the Avalanche are 5-5-0 on the road.
Roster notes
The Senators recalled Dillon Heatherington from Belleville Saturday and he will draw in for the fourth time this season in place of Victor Mete.
"He provides us with some size, some strength," Sens head coach D.J. Smith said. "He has the ability to stop the cycle, to box out, be tough in front of our net and a guy that's earned the right. When I talked to the coaches in Belleville, when I look at his ratings, they're giving him fours and fives every night and that's a good reward for a guy who's been a really good soldier."
Heatherington played for the Senators three times last month and in Belleville, has one goal and seven assists in 15 games.
No other changes are expected to the Sens lineup while Smith did not confirm his starting goaltender.
Previous history
The Senators were beaten 7-5 by the Avalanche Nov. 22 in Denver and are 18-29-3 with four ties all-time versus Colorado. On home ice, the Sens have 12 wins in 28 games.
In their meeting last month, Zach Sanford bagged the second hat-trick of his career while Brady Tkachuk had a two assist night.
Who to watch
Alex Formenton used his speed to his advantage Thursday in Carolina as he scored twice and in the process recorded his first career multi-goal NHL game.
In 18 games this season, Formenton has four goals and one assist. He averages 12:55 a night while his 29 hits rank sixth among Sens forwards.
Where to watch
Saturday's game can be seen live on Sportsnet One at 7 p.m. Fans can also tune into the radio call on TSN 1200 and Unique FM 94,5.
