In the depths of that nine-game losing streak, it felt like this season was completely off the rails.
Anytime you are being compared to the 1992 Ottawa Senators, you know things are pretty grim. When the final horn sounded against the Edmonton Oilers three weeks ago, it seriously looked like the Sens might never win again.
And then, a funny thing happened.
The “power-house” Montreal Canadiens rolled into a town and the Senators outplayed them thoroughly on their way to slump-busting 3-2 victory. Since that night, these two teams have been headed in opposite directions. The Senators are feeling better about their game lately and it’s the Canadiens that find themselves in a bit of a tailspin.
The Senators can turn that tailspin into a full blown meltdown with a second straight victory. Ottawa and Montreal meet again at the Canadian Tire Centre tonight.
In the lead-up to this game, there has been plenty of talk about Phillip Danault’s spear to the throat of Tim Stutzle. And rightfully so. It was dangerous, it was deliberate and it certainly should have been grounds for suspension.
The league decided to let it go though.
What makes it even more frustrating is it’s kind of recurring theme in games against the Montreal Canadiens. Targeting a skilled player is fine but it’s clear they have crossed the line on multiple occasions this year. And beyond just games against the Habs, it feels like in general, Stützle really isn’t getting respect from officials.
Somebody should probably have a chat with Phillip this evening. Enter, Micheal Haley.
Thomas Chabot was on the ice this morning but is still considered a “game-time decision”. Braydon Coburn comes out if Chabot is ready to go. Nikita Zaitsev and Colin White both missed practice yesterday but they were back on the ice today. Derek Stepan took the morning off but he is expected to play.
Here’s how the Senators are expected to line up for this one.
Tkachuk-Norris-C. Brown
Stützle-Stepan-Batherson
Paul-White-Dadonov
Haley-Tierney-Watson
Chabot-Zaitsev
Reilly-Zub
Brannstrom-Gudbranson
Joey Daccord was in the starter’s net at the morning skate which raised a few eyebrows but Matt Murray is good to go.
Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:00 PM with the game available on TSN2, TSN5, RDS, TSN1200 and you can steam the game by placing it in about one inch of boiling water for two to three minutes.
Here’s a closer look at tonight’s match-up.
| HEAD2HEAD |  |
 |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 9-5-3 (21 pts) | 5-14-1 (11 pts) |
| Goals For | 3.35 (8th) | 2.35 (27th) |
| Goals Against | 2.71 (12th) | 4.00 (31st) |
| Power Play | 19.2% (T-18th) | 11.0% (28th) |
| Penalty Kill | 77.9% (20th) | 74.2% (24th) |
| Shots For | 33.9 (1st) | 32.3 (3rd) |
| Shots Against | 28.9 (10th) | 31.1 (22nd) |
| Leading Scorers | Toffoli- 16 pts Petry- 16 pts Suzuki- 13 pts Anderson- 12 pts Drouin- 11 pts |
Tkachuk- 13 pts Norris- 11 pts Brown- 10 pts Batherson- 10 pts Stützle – 9 pts |
| Starting Goalie | Carey Price 5-3-2 2.88 GAA, .893 sv% |
Matt Murray 3-9-1 3.66 GAA, .883 sv% |
