We learned a lot about the Ottawa Senators in the last week.
On Monday, we learned that the no-quit identity we heard so much about coming into this season is finally starting to take hold. It’s one thing to say it but we got to see it on display during that dramatic four-goal comeback. A couple nights later we learned that when they are at their best, the Sens can absolutely hang with the best the North Division has to offer.
And then on Thursday, we were reminded that neither of those things matter without decent goaltending.
The Ottawa Senators return home to host the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday night.
Tonight’s game kicks off a five-game, nine day home-stand for the Senators. It’s a stretch that includes two games against the Montreal Canadiens and then three straight against the Calgary Flames.
After a strong start to the season, the Habs have stumbled a bit lately, winning just twice in their last six games. That includes a 5-3 loss to the Maple Leafs last night. Ottawa does catch Montreal on a back-to-back here but it’s worth pointing out that the Canadiens just had a bizarre six-day break so rest shouldn’t really be an issue.
Lineup will remain a bit of an unknown until puck drop. DJ Smith met with the media this morning and said Thomas Chabot and couple of forwards are considered game-time decisions. Sure seems like Michael Haley may ne drawing in on the fourth line tonight but we’ll find out closer to puck drop.
Tkachuk-Norris-Brown
Paul-White-Dadonov
Stützle-Stepan-Batherson
Haley/Peca-Tierney-Watson
Chabot-Zaitsev
Reilly-Zub
Brannstrom-Gudbranson
Matt Murray will start for Ottawa.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:08 PM. The game is on Sportsnet, RDS and TSN 1200.
Here’s a closer look at tonight’s match-up.
| HEAD2HEAD |  |
 |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 9-5-2 (20 pts) | 4-14-1 (9 pts) |
| Goals For | 3.44 (T-5th) | 2.32 (28th) |
| Goals Against | 2.69 (T-12th) | 4.11 (31st) |
| Power Play | 20.4% (16th) | 11.6% (28th) |
| Penalty Kill | 76.6% (T-22nd) | 73.0% (27th) |
| Shots For | 34.1(1st) | 32.0 (4th) |
| Shots Against | 28.3 (8th) | 31.1 (22nd) |
| Leading Scorers | Toffoli- 16 pts Petry- 15 pts Suzuki- 12 pts Anderson- 11 pts Drouin- 11 pts |
Tkachuk- 11 pts Brown- 10 pts Norris- 10 pts Stützle- 9 pts Chabot- 9 pts |
| Starting Goalie | Jake Allen 4-2-0 2.01 GAA, .933 sv% |
Matt Murray 2-9-1 3.81 GAA, .878 sv% |
