The Ottawa Senators and the Edmonton Oilers are now three games into their season series.
The Oilers have won all three games, outscoring the Senators by a 15-8 margin. Leon Draisaitl, the league’s reigning Hart Trophy winner, has nine points in those three games. Connor McDavid, the league’s most talented player, has eight points. The Ottawa Senators play the Edmonton Oilers six more times this season, including tonight at the Canadian Tire Centre.
I guess what I’m saying is I really miss the Detroit Red Wings and the Buffalo Sabres.
There was a lot of talk about it heading into this year but as the Senators approach the quarter mark in their regular season, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that there are going to be no easy games for this young hockey team. And while their play has been greatly improved over the last three outings, the losses are still piling up.
There are many challenges facing DJ Smith and his staff this year but at the top of that list is ensuring that this collection of players remains positive and engaged in what is clearly going to be a long year. At the same time, they certainly don’t want this collection of young players to get complacent or to let losing become a habit.
Both Smith and General Manager Pierre Dorion have talked at length about wanting to change the culture here in Ottawa. And that certainly isn’t easy under these circumstances. The good news is the Senators have been greatly improved over the last 180 minutes of hockey and there’s reason to think with a bounce here and there, they might be able to sneak up on some teams in this North Division.
No game day skate for the Sens today but DJ Smith met with the media earlier today and it sounds like there will be some juggling of the lineup.
Erik Brannstrom, who was on the receiving end of a few big hits last night, is out with a minor injury. Seven to ten days is the timeline for his return.
Thankfully Christian Wolanin is healthy and ready to go so he steps in on the blueline.
Earlier in the day, the Senators made a change on their taxi squad, sending Joey Daccord to the American Hockey League and recalling Filip Gustavsson. That will give Daccord a chance to play some games in Belleville once their season gets started as early as this weekend.
It does sound like the Senators are considering other changes to the lineup tonight but nothing official from DJ Smith on that front during his media availability. We’ll assume these combinations for now.
Tkachuk-Norris-Dadonov
Paul-White-Batherson
Stützle-Tierney-C. Brown
Galchenyuk-Stepan-Watson
Chabot-Zaitsev
Wolanin-Gudbranson
Reilly-Zub
No word on a starting goalie either.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:08 PM with the game available on TSN5, RDS and on the radio at TSN1200.
Here’s a closer look at tonight’s match-up.
| HEAD2HEAD |  |
 |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 7-7-0 (14 pts) | 2-10-1 (5 pts) |
| Goals For | 3.50 (9th) | 2.23 (29th) |
| Goals Against | 3.57 (26th) | 4.23 (31st) |
| Power Play | 24.5% (9th) | 14.3% (23rd) |
| Penalty Kill | 73.9% (25th) | 74.5% (24th) |
| Shots For | 31.4 (12th) | 30.6 (14th) |
| Shots Against | 31.9 (T-23rd) | 31.9 (22nd) |
| Leading Scorers | McDavid- 27 pts Draisaitl- 25 pts RNH- 11 pts Nurse- 10 pts Barrie- 10 pts |
Tkachuk- 7 pts Chabot- 7 pts Norris- 7 pts Stützle- 6 pts Batherson- 6 pts |
| Starting Goalie | TBD | TBD |
