Game Preview: Ottawa Senators host the Vancouver Canucks
The Ottawa Senators will play host to the Vancouver Canucks. This is the second and final meeting between the two teams. The last time they met was on December 3rd, 2019.
The Senators are clearly out of the playoff picture at this point with a record of 21-31-12, while the Canucks sit at 2nd in the tightly packed Pacific Division, with an impressive record of 34-22-6.
There is quite the contrast between these teams when it comes to their respective power plays. Ottawa is currently at 29th in the league with an abysmal 15.3% efficiency rate. While the Canucks are 4th in the league with a 24.3% rate.
With big guns Elias Pettersson, J.T. Miller and newly acquired winger Tyler Toffoli, Ottawa’s defence will have to be up to task defending that first power play unit.
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The Senators power play is missing Anthony Duclair for the second consecutive game, because of an injury.
As far as penalty killing these teams aren’t too far apart, Senators at 24th, with 77.4%, and Canucks at 16th, with 80.2%.
Both teams are playing short-handed without some top players. Ottawa is missing Mark Borowiecki, Anthony Duclair, Anders Nilsson and Colin White.
Vancouver is without Brock Boeser, Michael Ferland, Josh Leivo and Jacob Markstrom.
This game is crucial for the Vancouver Canucks to pull away with two points, as their division is extremely close, and wins against rebuilding teams like the Senators is very important to make the playoffs.
Josh Norris is expected to slot into the lineup alongside long-time buddy Brady Tkachuk and Bobby Ryan.
Speaking of Bobby Ryan, this will be the first time playing at home in the Canadian Tire Centre in three months after he left the team for the Players Assistance Program.
He’s completely back to himself, and should be a top threat out there, as he tries to regain his form on the ice.
Next. Trio of friends set to face off against Vancouver. dark
The starting goalies are Marcus Hogberg for the Ottawa Senators, and Thatcher Demko for the Vancouver Canucks.
Puck drop is set for 7:30 ET at the Canadian Tire Centre.