Senators VS Jets Game-day Preview
The Ottawa Senators will play their fifth game of the preseason Tuesday night against the Winnipeg Jets. This is the first non split-squad feature for the Senators as the team’s roster is beginning to take shape.
Ottawa: 2-1-1
Winnipeg: 1-3-0
8:00pm
MTS Centre
Winnipeg
TV: TSN5, Radio: TSN 1200
MATCHUP HISTORY
This is the first meeting between the two teams this preseason, and also the first taste the Senators will have of the Western Conference. Last season the two teams played only twice, with Ottawa taking both contests and out scoring Winnipeg 9-6.
LAST GAMES
The Senators are coming off a pair of split-squad victories last week against the Maple Leafs, including a shootout victory where the Sens rallied back from 2-0 and 3-1 deficits. The Jets are at it again after consecutive losses to the Minnesota Wild 4-3 on Saturday and the Edmonton Oilers 3-1 just last night.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Bobby Ryan, OTT- had 3 points (2 goals, one assist) versus the Leafs last week and looked like he could have had more. He told reporters after the game that he feels great and has no nagging pain from the injury that shut him down in the latter half of the 2013-14 season, so look for a healthy Ryan to continue to be a force for he Senators.
Nic Petan, WINNIPEG – is a shifty offensive talent coming off a 113 point junior campaign with the powerhouse Portland Winterhawks of the WHL. He scored the Jets’ first goal in Saturday’s game against the Wild and is looking to make his case to stick with the big club, so look for him to be energetic and dangerous on every shift.
TOP 3 STORYLINES FOR THE GAME
1. Let the Kids Play – Both teams have young players looking to take the leap into the NHL. Look for big things from the likes of Senators’ Curtis Lazar and Matt Puempel who have been playing as line-mates since the rookie tournament a few weeks back. For the Jets, they want to see what Nic Petan and last year’s first rounder Nicholaj Ehlers can do to impress the brass and make the decision to send them down a difficult one.
2. Net Gains – The Jets want more out of Andre Pavelec. Should he start, look for him to prove to coach Paul Maurice that he has more to offer than last year’s .901 save percentage.
3. C to Shining C – The Senators have been trying out the A’s on players so far this preseason, most notably on the likes of Chris Neil, Erik Karlsson, Chris Phillips, and Kyle Turris. Paul Maclean and Brian Murray will be looking closely to see who stands out and a good showing could go a long way for any player looking to be anointed as the next captain of the Ottawa Senators.