Ottawa Senators @ Dallas Stars; Gameday Preview
After snapping their three game losing streak with a 5-1 win over the Coyotes, the Ottawa Senators head to Dallas to take on the Stars, as well as their former captain, Jason Spezza.
Ottawa: 17-16-4-4
Dallas: 18-16-6-1
8:30 PM EST
American Airlines Center
Dallas, Texas
TV: TSN5, RDS; Radio: TSN 1200
MATCH-UP HISTORY
This is the Ottawa Senators’ first game against Dallas this season. The Sens dropped both games to the Stars last season. Dallas took it 4-3 in a shootout on November 3, 2013 in Ottawa, and then won 3-1 in Texas on March 22, 2014. Erik Karlsson led the way for the Sens with two goals and an assist, while five different Stars, among them Tyler Seguin, had two points each against Ottawa. Dallas goalie Kari Lehtonen was superb in both wins, posting a 1.92 goals-against-average and .937 save percentage.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
JASON SPEZZA, DAL: Did you really need to ask who would be the Stars’ player to watch? This will be Spezza’s first game against the team that drafted him second overall way back in 2001 (after receiving the pick from the Islanders as part of the oh-so one-sided trade of Alexei Yashin). Spezza has only nine goals and 29 points through 41 games this season, well off his 80-90 point heydays with Ottawa. Still, he’s sure to be fired-up to play his old team, especially with the Stars being six points back of the Western Conference’s final wild card spot.
ALEX CHIASSON, OTT: The only NHL-ready part of the package the Ottawa Senators received for sending Spezza to Dallas, Chiasson’s season has been up-and-down, though mostly down of late. Chiasson hasn’t had a point in his last 11 games, and his possession numbers have been downright awful for stretches. Still, he’s shown he can be a big body that can get goals in tight on the powerplay. Perhaps playing his old team is just the medicine he needs?
THREE KEYS TO THE GAME
1. A FAMILIAR FACE: Naturally, much of this game will be focused on Jason Spezza, the Ottawa Senators’ former number one centre. Despite being a point-per-game player during his 11 seasons with the Sens, Spezza was often the whipping-boy among the fanbase for his defensive play never being good enough and for his no-look drop passes. That lack of appreciation was at least part of why he was ready to move on from Ottawa. How will he fare against his old team? Stay tuned.
2. RUNNING THE TABLE: Right now, the Sens sit eight points back of the Eastern Conference’s final wild card spot, which is currently held by the Boston Bruins and their 50 points. Furthermore, both Toronto and Florida are ahead of Ottawa in the standings. While there’s still 41 games left to play, they need to do better than their recent 4-4-2 record in the last 10 games if they hope to make up ground.
3. LEHNER LOOKING TO REBOUD: Robin Lehner will get the start in goal for the Senators, and they need him to return to form if they hope to keep the Stars’ dynamic forwards in check. Lehner has lost his last three starts, and his save percentage in his last four games played has been .879 or lower. That’s not going to cut it.
PROJECTED LINE-UPS
As per the Sens’ website.
Ottawa Senators:
Forwards
MacArthur-Turris-Chiasson
Hoffman-Zibanejad-Ryan
Michalek-Pageau-Lazar
Condra-Legwand-Stone
Defense
Methot-Karlsson
Cowen-Ceci
Phillips-Gryba
Goalies
Lehner
Anderson
Dallas Stars:
Forwards
Jamie Benn-Seguin-Ritchie
Cole-Spezza-Hemsky
Roussel-Eakin-Garbutt
Horcoff-Fiddler-Sceviour
Defense
Goligoski-Klingberg
Schlemko-Daley
Jordie Benn-Demers
Goalies
Lehtonen
Lindback
Thanks for reading, and enjoy the game!