There was a lot to like about Tuesday’s game against the Minnesota Wild.
While the Senators did a little too much running around over the course of 62 minutes, they showed plenty of that trademark pushback that has been early-season calling card for this young group. With the talent they have at the top of the lineup, it’s clear that they are never really out of a game.
They stormed back from three goals down against the Washington Capitals. Meanwhile against the Wild, they shook off a sluggish start and turned a 3-1 deficit into a 4-3 lead in the blink of an eye. And with a bit of luck, we would have spent the last two days celebrating a ridiculous third period winner by Tim Stützle.
It’s been tough to get a read on this Sens team early in the season but if nothing else, you’ll want to keep your in-game meltdowns and/pr premature celebrations to a minimum. Because when the Sens are involved, anything can happen.
The Ottawa Senators return home to host Jack Eichel’s Vegas Golden Knights. Huh.
If you missed the early morning excitement, it would appear that the Vegas Golden Knights strolled into beautiful Buffalo, New York under the cover of night and basically stole Jack Eichel. An injured Alex Tuch, a struggling Peyton Krebs and a first round pick. And a swap of 3rd round picks. That’s it, that’s all.
Probably not the blockbuster deal Kevyn Adams was dreaming of when these trade talks started but really, the whole situation has been a bit of a pain in the neck for the Sabres.
So no Jack Eichel tonight for Golden Knights. No Mark Stone either. He hasn’t played since mid-October.
Before we go any further, I sure do hate the Vegas Golden Knights. It usually takes years to build up animosity for a hockey team but there is just something about this particular franchise that is so unlikable. Like, they have skipped all the usual suffering that goes with being an expansion franchise. And just overnight, they became a league powerhouse, at least in their own eyes. Not to mention those STUPID gold helmets. I look forward to them failing again this season.
Nikita Zaitsev is sick and will sit tonight. Dylan Gambrell draws in for Logan Shaw.
Here’s a best guess for now.
Tkachuk-Norris-Batherson
Stützle-Paul-Brown
Formenton-Tierney-Ennis
Sanford-Gambrell/Shaw-Watson
Chabot-Zub
Del Zotto-Holden
Mete-Brown
Filip Gustvasson gets the start in goal.
Puck drop is scheduled for a far more traditional 7:08 PM. That means we’ll be celebrating Tim Stutzle’s second career hat trick by just before 10:00 PM. Tonight’s game is available on TSN5, RDS2 and on the radio, thanks to Dean and Gord at TSN1200. Streams? Available. Tickets? Also available.
Tonight is Canadian Armed Forces Appreciation Night at the CTC.
Here is a closer look at this evening’s match-up, presented in a simple and easy-to-follow table- it’s the HEAD2HEAD table.
| HEAD2HEAD |  |
 |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 4-5-0 (8 pts) | 3-5-1 (7 pts) |
| Goals For | 2.22 (29th) | 2.67 (19th) |
| Goals Against | 3.33 (T-26th) | 3.33 (T-26th) |
| Power Play | 0.0% (31st) | 23.3% (T-10th) |
| Penalty Kill | 80.0% (T-18th) | 73.1% (26th) |
| Shots For | 33.0 (T-9th) | 29.1 (26th) |
| Shots Against | 34.1 (30th) | 33.9 (27th) |
| Leading Scorers | Stephenson- 9 pts Hague- 4 pts Marchessault- 4 pts Smith- 4 pts Dadonov- 3 pts |
Batherson- 10 pts Norris- 8 pts Brown- 6 pts Ennis- 6 pts Stützle- 5 pts |
| Starting Goalie | Robin Lehner 3-5-0 3.13 GAA, .906 sv% |
Filip Gustavsson 2-1-1 2.96 GAA, .916 sv% |
