The Ottawa Senators are back in action, and there's a palpable buzz in the air as they return home after a standout road trip. Securing 9 out of a possible 10 points, the Sens have clawed their way back into the Eastern Conference playoff conversation. With only 19 games left in the regular season, every matchup counts, and tonight’s clash against the Montreal Canadiens is no exception.
The Senators find themselves in a tight race, trailing the Blue Jackets by three points and the Bruins by five, though they hold games in hand on both. They're also six points behind the Red Wings, with a crucial head-to-head game looming. The mission is clear: just keep winning.
Tonight, the Senators will hit the ice at the Canadian Tire Centre with a familiar lineup, aiming to replicate their recent success. Here’s how they’re expected to line up:
- Batherson-Stützle-Giroux
- Tkachuk-Cozens-Greig
- Cousins-Pinto-Amadio
- Foegele-Eller-Zetterlund
On defense, the pairs are:
- Chabot-Zub
- Kleven-Spence
- Matinpalo-Jensen
Between the pipes, Linus Ullmark gets the nod to start.
Puck drops at 7:38 PM, and you can catch all the action on Sportsnet, TSN1200, and 104.7 FM.
Head-to-Head
When it comes to the standings, the Senators boast a 35-18-10 record, accumulating 80 points. They’re currently third in goals per game with 3.54, while the Canadiens sit at 3.35, placing them ninth. Defensively, the Sens have some work to do, allowing 3.25 goals against (24th), compared to the Canadiens' 3.14 (21st).
Special teams could play a pivotal role tonight. Ottawa’s power play is clicking at 24.9% (6th), while Montreal’s is at 23.0% (9th). However, both teams have struggled on the penalty kill, with the Senators at 76.8% (27th) and the Canadiens at 73.5% (30th).
In terms of shots, the Senators average 26.4 per game (24th), while the Canadiens put up 28.8 (10th). Defensively, Montreal is stingy, allowing just 24.3 shots against (2nd), compared to Ottawa's 27.5 (12th).
Leading Scorers
The Canadiens’ offense is led by Suzuki with 74 points, followed by Hutson (65), Caufield (64), Slafkovsky (52), and Demidov (49). For the Senators, Stützle leads with 68 points, supported by Batherson (55), Cozens (49), Sanderson (48), and Tkachuk (43).
With the stakes this high, tonight’s game promises to be a thrilling contest. Both teams are hungry for points, and the Senators are determined to keep their playoff hopes alive. It’s going to be a battle worth watching.