The Ottawa Senators welcome the two-time defending Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers to Canadian Tire Centre on Tuesday evening.
For the Sens, the game spells the third in a four-game homestand. So far, they have split matchups with the Kraken (4-3 win) and the Islanders (5-4 loss).
With the Sens finishing last season with 45 wins and their first playoff berth since 2016–17, expectations around the team were sky-high entering this season — and confidence in the dressing room remains high through a 2-4 start to the season.
“We all felt like last year was a very positive year for the organization, and at times you feel like you’re just going to hit the ground running,” said David Perron after an optional skate on Tuesday morning.
“That’s the goal. You prepare all summer, all camp to do that, and in a way, that kind of hasn’t happened. Every year you have to rebuild your energy, rebuild your identity. The hard part is there’s 31 other teams that reset, you know, they get that reset, they all have that belief or the idea that they can make a push… everyone believes in their room right now, and we have to find a way out of this, kind of funk, for a full 60.”
Perron has been finding his own groove as of late on the ice, with two goals in his last two games, both coming on the power play. The veteran winger has helped contribute to a 25 per cent powerplay clip for the Sens, which ranks tied for seventh in the league.
