Senators down the Red Wings

It feels like just last week the Sens were facing the Red Wings in Sweden as a part of the Global Series. It may feel that way because even though the game was over three weeks ago, the Sens have only played seven games since then. However, the slow part of the schedule is over and now the team is in the midst of a busy December and Detroit is the opponent at hand!

Already the third match up between these two divisional rivals the series is split one win a piece. Detroit won the first meeting dealing Ottawa their first home loss of the season back on October 21st. The two most recently met in Sweden where after a back and forth effort that saw the Sens go up 4-0, Detroit scored four straigh to tie the game. It took 4:58 of the overtime before Tim Stützle batted in the game winner in what's sure to be a goal of the year candidate.

The Red Wings find themselves 12 points up on the Senators, good for third place in the Atlantic in the current standings however the Sens have four games in hand and tonight proves a big opportunity to make up ground. Of course, the Red Wings just added a major player into the fold, reuniting Patrick Kane with former linemate Alex DeBrincat to add some championship experience to their roster. San Jose spoiled Kane's debut on Thursday and the Sens will look to make it two in a row.

Related news:

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• Recap: Maple Leafs vs Senators

By the numbers

Head coach D.J. Smith confirmed this morning that Jiri Smejkal is set to make his NHL debut tonight!

We are live at Little Caesars Arena!

Penalty: David Perron is called for tripping Jacob Bernard-Docker just 27 seconds into the game. Ottawa gets the first crack on the power play.

Goal: Claude Giroux corrals the rebound on Jakob Chychrun's point shot and puts it past Alex Lyon on the power play. 1-0 Sens

Penalty: Brady Tkachuk is called for slashing on Dylan Larkin at the 4:28 mark and Detroit will have their first try on the man advantage.

Penalty: Erik Brännström is called for slashing Alex DeBrincat at the 5:50 mark and the Red Wings will have a five-on-three for 28 seconds.

The Sens penalty kill stands tall and we're back to even strength

Penalty: Tim Stützle is called for roughing Shayne Gostisbehereagainst with 7:13 to play.

Penalty: Mathieu Joseph and Parker Kelly are each called for minors for roughing and David Perron is assessed a five minute penalty and a match penalty for intent to injure Artem Zub. Detroit has a four-on-three for 57 seconds and then Ottawa's second minor penalty will start.

Goal: Patrick Kane scores his first as a Red Wing on the four-on-three at the 14:49 mark to tie the game at one a piece.

Ottawa kills off the remainder of their penalties and has the man advantage for one minute.

Detroit walks away from their penalty withou issue.

The first period comes to a close tied one-one.

Penalty: Michael Rasmussen is called for high sticking Ridly Greig at the 1:46 mark of the second. Ottawa has their fourth try on the power play tonight.

Goal: Vladimir Tarasenko sneaks one past Lyon with a slap shot on the power play to make it 2-1 with 16:24 remaining.

Penalty: Jake Walman is called for slashing Drake Batherson at the 5:33 mark of the period.

Detroit comes away clean again.

Goal: Dominik Kubalik buries a slap shot off the feed from Mathieu Joseph with 11:24 to play to take a 3-1 lead.

Penalty: Ridly Greig is called for goaltender interference at the 8:45 mark to give the Red Wings the man advantage.

Sens have no issue killing off this penalty, penalty kill is now 4/5 on the night.

Penalty: Ridly Greig is called for goaltender interference at the 8:45 mark to give the Red Wings the man advantage.

Sens have no issue killing off this penalty, penalty kill is now 4/5 on the night.

Goal: Tim Stützle buries the beautiful lead pass from Drake Batherson to give the Senators a 4-1 lead with 1:06 left in the second.

Penalty: Mathieu Joseph and Christian Fischer each head to the box for fighting at the 1:14 mark of the third.

Goal: Jake Sanderson pots a 200ft empty net goal to make it 5-1 Sens.