After dropping three of their last four, the Ottawa Senators are shaking things up-and not just on the scoreboard. Saturday morning’s skate revealed a fresh look up and down the lineup ahead of a tough matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes, their first meeting of the season.
Line Shuffles Up Front and on the Blue Line
Claude Giroux was bumped up to the top line, skating alongside Tim Stützle and Drake Batherson. That trio brings a mix of veteran savvy, elite playmaking, and scoring touch-clearly, head coach Travis Green is looking to spark some chemistry and get his top guns going again. Fabian Zetterlund, who had been skating in Giroux’s usual third-line spot, slid into that vacancy.
On the back end, there were changes too. Nikolas Matinpalo was paired with Tyler Kleven on the third defensive unit, while Jordan Spence moved up alongside Thomas Chabot, replacing Nick Jensen.
If Matinpalo suits up tonight, it’ll be his first action since January 8-an 8-2 loss to Colorado. Despite the lopsided scoreline, the Finnish blueliner finished that game a +1, and Green hinted that getting him back in the mix was a decision that had been building for a while.
“Just felt it was time to get ‘Manti’ back in,” Green said after the skate. “Lots went into the decision.”
A New Voice on the Penalty Kill
The Senators also made a notable change behind the bench. Lead penalty-kill duties have shifted from assistant coach Nolan Baumgartner to Mike Yeo. Baumgartner will continue to oversee the defense and collaborate on the PK, but Green made it clear the move wasn’t about pointing fingers-it’s about finding a spark.
“He’s an excellent coach, he’s done a great job with our defencemen, and the penalty kill hasn’t gone the way we’ve wanted. And that’s not just on [Baumgartner],” Green explained. “Ultimately, the players have to get the job done, but a new voice might give a spark, give a different look, give a different voice.”
It’s a subtle but telling adjustment. The Sens’ penalty kill has been a sore spot, and while the structure might not change dramatically, a different tone and fresh approach could be what this group needs to reset.
All Eyes on Reimer
James Reimer will get the nod in net for the fourth consecutive game. The veteran netminder has been steady, and tonight’s matchup carries a little extra meaning-he spent two seasons with the Hurricanes from 2019 to 2021, winning 29 of his 45 starts.
Reimer’s career numbers against Carolina are solid: a .925 save percentage, 2.39 goals-against average, and two shutouts in 20 starts. But his record-7-10-4-suggests he’s had to earn every bit of that success. Facing his former team, Reimer will look to keep the Senators competitive in what could be a tightly contested game.
Recent History Favors Ottawa
Despite their recent struggles, the Senators have had Carolina’s number lately. They’ve won the last two meetings, including a wild 7-5 victory last April where Stützle, Batherson, and Dylan Cozens each racked up three points. Earlier in the season, Linus Ullmark posted a 32-save shutout in a 3-0 win.
Tonight’s game kicks off a back-to-back at Canadian Tire Centre-the first of three this season for Ottawa-and comes against a Hurricanes squad that’s won three of its last four but is coming off a shootout loss to Chicago.
A Night of Recognition
Before the puck drops, there’s a special moment lined up: Jacques Martin will be inducted into the Senators Ring of Honour. It’s a fitting tribute, and the timing couldn’t be more poetic-Saturday marks exactly 30 years since Martin’s first game as head coach of the Senators, back on January 24, 1996.
Martin’s legacy in Ottawa is undeniable. He leads the franchise in games coached (748), regular-season wins (367), and playoff victories (31).
He becomes the fourth member of the Ring of Honour, joining Bryan Murray, Wade Redden, and Dr. Don Chow.
And here’s a fun stat for the superstitious crowd: the Senators are a perfect 3-0-0 on Ring of Honour nights. If history has anything to say about it, the stage might just be set for another inspired performance.
Final Thoughts
With lineup tweaks, coaching adjustments, and a milestone celebration in the air, this isn’t just another game for the Senators. It’s a chance to reset the tone of their season, honor a foundational figure in franchise history, and show they can hang with a playoff-caliber opponent. The puck drops with plenty on the line-and maybe, just maybe, a little magic in the building.