It’s a feeling that takes a bit of getting used to.
After what was basically five years of watching meaningless hockey games, it sure is nice to care again. Okay, that’s a slight exaggeration. We cared about every game. Or most of us did anyway.
But the last few years, it felt like the Ottawa Senators were almost immediately in that weird space of “just happy to be there”. As fans, we were very quickly forced to look ahead to the off-season, or keep an eye on promising prospects in the system or god help us, look ahead to the Draft. But this year, at least through the first two weeks of the season anyway, feels different.
This team is fun to watch again. One game ends and you’re already looking forward to the next one. These games…they matter.
The Ottawa Senators continue their five-game homestand when they play host to the currently undefeated Dallas Stars.
With Josh Norris out, DJ Smith will have to do a little bit of juggling among the forwards.
Although to avoid messing with other lines, it looks like Derick Brassard will slot in between Alex DeBrincat and Claude Giroux. The trio played together late in the preseason and actually looked pretty good together. Brassard was also in the spot usually occupied by Josh Norris on the power play.
It’s probably safe to assume that Shane Pinto still sees an elevated role with Norris out but to start anyway, Brassard takes that spot on line two. This allows the Senators to keep that third line intact and continue to create match-up problems for the other team. It’s a lot to expect Brassard to just step in and hit the ground running like that but the logic checks out. We’ll see how long it lasts.
A best guess at the lineup based on the morning skate.
Tkachuk-Stützle-Batherson
DeBrincat-Brassard-Giroux
Motte-Pinto-Joseph
Kelly-Kastelic-Watson
Chabot-Zub
Sanderson-Hamonic
Brannstrom-Holden
Magnus Hellberg is the surprise starter for the Senators.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM. The game is available on TSN5 and on the radio at TSN1200. Illegal internet streams will be at your disposal. There is a fourth option though- head down to the Canadian Tire Centre, slug four to six ice cold Monday beers and watch the game with like 15,000 of your closest friends. Do the right thing.
Oh and if you’re looking for a way to get to the game, the good folks at The Senate Tavern have shuttles running this season from all three of their locations in the city. These are demand-driven though so make sure you call for details. Sounds like just the Wellington location shuttle is running tonight.
Wondering how the Senators match-up against the Stars but too damn lazy to do your own research? Well then I have just the table for you.
| HEAD2HEAD |  |
 |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 4-0-1 (9 pts) | 3-2-0 (6 pts) |
| Goals For | 4.00 (5th) | 4.20 (4th) |
| Goals Against | 1.60 (1st) | 3.20 (19th) |
| Power Play | 35.3% (3rd) | 25.0% (11th) |
| Penalty Kill | 92.3% (3rd) | 72.2% (22nd) |
| Shots For | 27.6 (26th) | 34.2 (10th) |
| Shots Against | 32.8 (21st) | 29.6 (8th) |
| Leading Scorers | Hintz- 7 pts Pavelski- 7 pts Robertson- 7 pts Marchment- 6 pts Seguin- 5 pts |
Batherson- 8 pts Tkachuk- 8 pts DeBrincat- 5 pts Motte- 5 pts Pinto- 5 pts |
| Starting Goalie | Scott Wedgewood 0-0-1 2.83 GAA, .930 sv% |
Magnus Hellberg 0-0-0 -.– GAA, .— sv% |
