The Ottawa Senators will look to close out a three-game homestand with a win on Saturday night against the visiting New York Rangers. The Sens are coming off a 6-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night. That loss followed an emotional 5-1 win over the Florida Panthers on Wednesday.
“I think the Wednesday game, we played a really good game. It was a fun atmosphere, it was a playoff-type game. I think we showed up for that. Obviously, Thursday, we didn’t like our first two periods, but I think we had a good push back in the third. Obviously, it was a little too late at that point,” said Dylan Cozens after morning skate on Saturday.
“I think we’ve had a lot of good games, but I think we all believe that there’s another level to our group here, and that there’s another step we can take. I think overall, we’re decently happy with it, but we still know there’s more.”
The Senators will turn to their third starting goalie in as many games on Saturday, as head coach Travis Green told media after morning skate that Jonas Johansson will make his debut for the team.
Johansson was acquired from the Tampa Bay Lightning in late September for future considerations. The 31-year-old had spent three years as the Lightning’s backup, compiling a record of 32-23-10 over that span.
“He’s going to play, Linus [Ullmark] is going to be out for a week or two. We thought it’d be best to get him in tonight. [Sam Ersson] just played the other night. [Johansson] has played well in Belleville. He’s got 100 [career] starts. He’s played a lot in the NHL,” said Green.
“He hasn’t been here long enough to really get a great read, but from everything I’ve heard, he’s a great team guy, good pro, comes as advertised from what I’ve seen.”
