The set-up
The Sens (30-41-6) collected their 30th win of the season Friday night in Columbus after they won their second straight in a shootout after a 2-1 victory over the Blue Jackets.
Montreal (20-47-11) have lost seven straight as they last won April 7 in New Jersey.
Over their losing streak, the Habs power play has gone 1-for-17 and they continue to own the second worst man advantage in the NHL at 13.1 per cent.
In April, their 4.50 goals against average is the second highest in the league while for the duration of the 2021-22 season, Montreal's 3.86 goals against average is the worst. The Habs have averaged just 2.53 goals per game this season, 31st in the league, while the Sens place 26th at 2.68.
For Ottawa, April has been their most successful month of the season as they have seven wins, tied for the seventh most in the NHL this month. Despite going 0-for-6 over their last four games, the Sens power play still ranks sixth in the NHL this month at 24.6 per cent.
The Canadiens have the fifth most penalty minutes in the NHL this season with 793 while the Sens rank one spot lower with 766. With just 13 home wins, and 17 on the road, the Sens are just one of three teams in the NHL to have more road victories.
Roster notes
The Senators will receive a huge boost tonight as Thomas Chabot will return from a fractured hand. The Sens star d-man has missed the last 18 games after he was hurt March 16 against Columbus. Chabot has six goals and 34 points this year in 55 games.
However, the Sens will be without Connor Brown and Nikita Zaitsev while Colin White has not been deemed fit to play after a bout with Covid-19. Ottawa recalled Scott Sabourin from Belleville and he will draw in tonight.
Anton Forsberg will start and in the process, will play his 100th NHL game. He is 19-17-4 with a .917 save percentage and 2.79 GAA.
Previous history
Tonight is the 160th meeting between the Sens and Habs. Ottawa is 73-70-11 with five ties all-time and on home ice, have won 41 of 78 games.
This season, the Senators are 1-2-0 versus Montreal. Montreal were 2-1 victors Feb. 26 at Canadian Tire Centre before they won 5-1 at Bell Centre March 19.
Ottawa won 6-3 April 5 in Montreal and will look to even the season series tonight. Josh Norris, Brady Tkachuk and Colin White all have three points against the Canadiens this year while Austin Watson has two goals.
Who to watch
Tkachuk scored his 29th goal of the season Friday night and his next goal will make him the 11th different Ottawa Senator to score at least 30 goals in a season.
The Senators captain's 61 points this year leads the team while his 32 assists are the second most. His 115 penalty minutes leads the Sens while his 260 hits are the fourth most in the NHL.
Where to watch
Saturday's game can be seen live on City, Sportsnet East and TVAS at 7 p.m. Fans can also tune into the radio call on TSN 1200 and Unique FM 94,5.
