Get ready to don those jerseys, Sens fans-the wait is finally over.
It feels like ages since the Ottawa Senators last hit the ice, clinching an overtime victory against the Flyers on the road three weeks ago. And it's been even longer since they thrilled the home crowd with a 4-1 win over New Jersey back on January 31.
But the wait ends Thursday as the Senators host the Detroit Red Wings at Canadian Tire Centre for the second time this season. Before the Olympic break, Ottawa was on a roll, winning five of their last six games.
Head coach Travis Green, reflecting on the team's recent form, said, “Yeah, first of all, not worried about what we’ve done in the past. We were playing some pretty good hockey, we’ll have to play some more good hockey, starting tonight.”
Brady Tkachuk and Jake Sanderson returned to the ice for the morning skate after celebrating gold with Team USA. Coach Green acknowledged their achievement, saying, “It’s been an emotional few days for them, but they love playing here, and they’ll be ready tonight.”
The Faceoff
The Senators boast an impressive 8-2-0 record against the Red Wings in their last ten meetings at home, dating back to October 23, 2019. Brady Tkachuk has been a standout performer, tallying 10 points (five goals, five assists) in those games.
Ottawa fell to the Red Wings 5-3 on January 5 at home and 4-3 in Detroit on January 18. Last season, the Senators held a strong 3-0-1 record against Detroit.
Loose Pucks
Tim Stützle missed practice for the second day due to illness, according to Coach Green. Meanwhile, Nikolas Matinpalo, who was in a no-contact jersey on Wednesday, joined the defense in a regular red jersey.
The Senators are 7-3-2 in their last 12 games, a stretch that began with an 8-4 victory over the New York Rangers on January 14. This run marks Ottawa’s second-best 12-game performance of the season, only surpassed by their early-season form.
Stützle, who scored Ottawa's last goal before the Olympic break, extended his goal streak to five consecutive games-his longest yet. Across the NHL this season, only five players have managed streaks of six or more consecutive games with a goal. As the team returns from the break, Stützle stands out as the only player with a current five-game goal streak.
So, Sens fans, buckle up. It’s game day, and the Senators are back in action, ready to light up the ice once again.