Ottawa Senators Host Arizona Coyotes In Afternoon Match-Up
The Arizona Coyotes are in town for the Senators’ fifth afternoon game of the season. Compared to last year, the end of January seems incredibly late for just the fifth afternoon game. I think they played about ten of them by the end of October in 2013.
Arizona Coyotes (17-25-6)
VS
Ottawa Senators (19-19-9)
3:00 PM
Canadian Tire Centre
TV: TSN5, RDS2; Radio: TSN1200
MATCHUP HISTORY
The last time these teams met was earlier this month, in a 5-1 Senators win in Arizona. The Coyotes are one of few teams below the Senators in the standings, so it should be reasonable for the Senators to win the second and final game against the Coyotes this season.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Keith Yandle, ARI – Yandle is without a doubt one of the best defencemen in the league. I usually pick the big goal scorers in this section, but watch for Yandle to play smart throughout the entire game. He can play smart defensively, and is an even bigger threat offensively.
Erik Karlsson, OTT – I’d might as well go with another d-man here. Karlsson’s game against the Dallas Stars on Thursday was only okay, but I expect a big one from him this afternoon. It may just be because he seems to bounce back after a less than impressive showing almost every time.
THREE KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Shoot!! – Most people think of Mike Smith as a solid goalie, but for some reason he’s having an off year. His GAA sits at over 3.4 and his save percentage is well under .900, so the more shots you put on him, the better. The Coyotes defence ranks among the worst in the league, so that should be another factor to help motivate the Senators to take the shot over the pass a little more often.
2. Play Smart Defensively – While the Coyotes defence is pretty horrible, their offence is even worse. Only the New Jersey Devils, Carolina Hurricanes, and Buffalo Sabres have scored less goals than the Yotes. So basically, outshoot them and you’re in a pretty good position.
3. Are the Sens “Stuck” With Lehner? – Robin Lehner had a fantastic start to the season, but that start is so far back that most people have forgotten about it by now. No matter how he gets an opportunity to show he’s ready to be a #1 goaltender, he seems to blow it. Granted, he’s still on 23 years old, but he’s got to get his confidence back somehow. With Craig Anderson injured, the team needs him more than ever.