Game Day Five: Oilers vs Senators, Feb. 11
The set-up
It's been 11 days since we've been treated to some Senators hockey and what a treat we are in store for today! The Senators play host to the Edmonton Oilers in their first of two match ups this season, with both teams looking to stay in their respective conference's playoff races. Edmonton currently is in a three-way tie for 2nd place in the Pacific division though they only sit five points up on the final wildcard spot. Jam packed to say the least. Ottawa on the other hand has been scratching and clawing to stay in the playoff pack and now sits just eight points out of a wild card position however they have between three and five games in hand on most of the teams they're competing with. That gap could be much narrower in a weeks time.
Edmonton enters this game with a little more juice under their skates as they have played two games since the NHL All-Star break ended. However, they dropped their last game coming into this afternoon against Philadelphia in a shootout. That won't deter this Edmonton team much as they boast the leagues two top scorers in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl with 94 and 76 points respectively. Throw in Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman each as 60+ point scorers and this team is a problem! Led largely by their league leading power play unit converting 30.2% of their opportunities, it will be imperative that the Senators limit their mistakes.
The Senators come into this afternoon well rested following the NHL All-Star break and still riding a four-game win streak! The Senators have outscored their opponents 18-8 in those four games led by Claude Giroux who tallied five goals and rides a four-game goal streak, and Brady Tkachuk who added three of his own. With all their defencemen back in tow and healthy now that Artem Zub has returned and killing over 80% of their penalties, this Senators team should be well equipped to give a challenge to Edmonton.
Roster notes
Following the All-Star break the Senators recalled forward Ridly Greig and goaltender Mads Sogaard from Belleville. Additionally, since going down with a lower body injury against Colorado, defenceman Artem Zub is set to return to the lineup this afternoon. Below is how the Senators lined up at practice yesterday morning at Canadian Tire Centre:
Forwards:
Tkachuk - Stützle - Joseph
DeBrincat - Greig - Giroux
Brassard - Pinto - Batherson
Motte - Gambrell - Kelly
Watson
Defense:
Chabot - Zub
Sanderson - Hamonic
Brannstrom - Holden
Zaitsev
Past history
Saturday marks the 55th iteration of this Interconference Canadian battle, with Edmonton owning a narrow lead 28-23 with four additional ties. Much of that gap came during the Canadian division season when Edmonton won eight straight. However, fans will remember that last season the Senators swept the season series. First, they won with many starters held out of action on January 15th in a high scoring 6-4 game. They followed that up two weeks later with Tim Stützle potting the winner in a thrilling overtime win at home!
Who to watch
Fresh off the NHL All-Star break Tim Stützle is primed to make some noise! In his lat outing against Montreal Timmy put up two goals and two assists including the primary assist on Brady Tkachuk's game winning goal in the waning moments of their division battle. With his next goal Stützle will surpass his season total from last year of 22, establishing a new career high in 32 fewer games. Suffice it to say Tim Stützle is showing exactly what kind of star he is capable of being in this league, and we should be prepared for something special!
Where to watch
Saturday's game can be seen live on TSN5, Sportsnet West and TVAS. Fans can also tune into the radio call on TSN 1200 and Unique FM 94,5.
