Game Day 5: OTT at WPG

1. The set up:

It's the second and final meeting between the Senators and Jets and after an overtime battle at Canadian Tire Centre saw the Jets emerge victorious, the Sens will look to draw the series even tonight. 

The Senators are riding a four-game win streak into this contest led by hot goaltending coinciding with an offensive onslaught. Across the four wins the Senators have outscored their opponents 16-7 including a 2-0 shutout against Chicago. Key to their success in this stretch has been their penalty kill which has stopped 82% of the power plays they have faced and outside of the Edmonton game have left the opponent without a single power play goal. 

The Jets enter tonight's game sitting in third place in the Central Division with the Avalanche four points in front and the Predators nipping at their heels just four points back. Needless to be said every game counts at this stage in the season and with just nine game to play the Jets will want to do everything they can to at least establish home ice advantage over the Avalanche. With only four wins in their last ten games the Jets will have their work cut out for them. However, they will have a very welcomed addition with Gabriel Vilardi back in the line-up tonight for the first time since Feb. 29.

As the Jets look to make up any points they can in the late stage of the play off race and the Sens look to play spoiler, expect a high energy battle at Canada Life Centre.

2. Roster report:

Interim head coach Jacques Martin mentioned that the Senators will be without Thomas Chabot again tonight as he continues to rehab from an injury sustained against Buffalo. Joonas Korpisalo is back between the pipes tonight and will look to extend his personal win streak to four in a row. Below is how the Senators lined up at morning skate at Canada Life Centre:

3. Who to watch:

As a whole over the Sens four game win streak the goaltending has ben outstanding, boasting a 0.937% save percentage while allowing just 1.75 goals per game. Though it's a small sample size, those numbers would both be top of the league. When looking across the ice the Senators are facing the goaltender who is actually at the top of the league in both save percentage and goals against average.

If the last game, when the Jets needed overtime to claim a 2-1 victory, was any indicator of tonight's match up this game could very well come down to the goaltending battle. With Joonas Korpisalo playing some of his best hockey of the season look for the Senators netminder to ride the hot hand into tonight as he looks to get the best of Hellebuyck and the Jets.

4. Brady against Hellebuyck:

With Connor Hellebuyck set to start between the pipes for the Jets tonight the Senators have a tall task ahead of them. With a 0.920% save percentage and just a 2.41 goals against average, besting Hellbuyck is easier said than done. However, the Senators may have an ace up their sleeve in the form of their captain. In 11 career games against Hellebuyck, Brady Tkachuk has scored seven goals so more often than not Tkachuk is leaving the rink having bested the Vezina favourite. Look for him to continue that here tonight as the Sens will need all they get against this formidable Jets team.

5. Where to watch:

Tonight's game can be found live on CITY, while fans looking for the radio call can tune into TSN1200 and Unique FM 94,5 for the English and French calls respectively.