Game-day Preview #8: Ottawa Senators @ Vancouver Canucks

The Sens wrap up their three game set with the Canucks tonight, looking to avoid a sweep at the hands of Elias Pettersson and company.

The last time I sat down to write one of these, Ottawa was 1-0 and looking good after an opening night win against Toronto. While they lost that game, there was still lots to build off of, including Tim Stützle‘s highlight-reel first NHL goal.

Since then, Ottawa has dropped five in a row, picking up only one point in the process. In two games against the Canucks, they’ve been outscored by a jaw-dropping 12-2 margin.

But, as a quick check of the standings shows, there’s nowhere to go but up for Ottawa, so here’s hoping tonight marks the first step out of the basement, or at least out of the sub-basement and into the regular basement.

Lineup Changes

The Sens did not skate this morning after playing last night. While this is likely to keep the team rested for the second night of a back-to-back, I will instead take this as a direct personal attack on yours truly.

Whatever their reasons, this leaves us with no real way of knowing the changes, although the team has left some clues.

Yes, that’s Chlappie. Christian Wolanin‘s injury last night has opened the door for Chlapik to be called up before tonight’s game. Given that the Sens chose to call him up immediately, it’s likely Chlapik will draw into the lineup tonight, but it’s not clear who he’d replace.

Colin White seemed to play well enough last night to avoid a return to the press box, so it could be Derek Stepan, who’s seen his role shrink the past few games who sits out tonight. Stepan’s linemates Austin Watson and Cedric Paquette are also healthy scratch candidates.

With Wolanin on the IR, Ottawa only has six defencemen to choose from, so unless they want to take a page from the Golden Knights’ playbook, expect Josh Brown to draw back into the lineup tonight.

After Marcus Hogberg started last night, expect Matt Murray to be back between the pipes tonight as he looks to bounce back from the seven-spot he gave up on Monday.

Sens player to watch

I’ll resist the urge to turn this section into the Tim Stützle Corner (trademark pending), even though I’ll definitely have my eyes glued to him all night.

Instead, we’ll turn the Matt Murray Panic Meter (trademark also pending) up a notch. When Ottawa acquired Matt Murray in the off-season, they were betting on his .899 save percentage from 2019-20 being an aberration. Through five games this season though, his .862 mark and 4.47 goals-against average are making many wonders if last season was the real Matt Murray.

While five games is obviously too little to go off of, the Sens forked over an uncharacteristically large amount of money to make Murray the goalie going forward, so if he can’t turn it around sooner or later they could be in a real tough spot.

Ottawa’s defence has been porous and Hogberg hasn’t looked any better, but for the money, he’s making the team should be expecting Murray to be stealing a handful of games, rather than simply doing his best his the hand he’s been dealt.

The Matt Murray Panic Meter (trademark recently denied) may still be low, but it’s ready to shoot right up.

Opponent player to watch

Quinn Hughes notched two assists in the Canucks’ 5-1 win last night over Ottawa, but that’s par for the course for the sophomore defenceman. Last year’s Calder Trophy runner-up has nine points in nine games as he continues to rapidly emerge as one of the league’s top blueliners.

He still has a little ways to go before he becomes a lock for Norris debates, but after losing partner Chris Tanev to Calgary in the off-season his continually steady play is incredibly encouraging.

Ottawa may not have a lot to cheer about this season, so when you’re up against a talent like Hughes for three games in a row, sometimes it’s best just to enjoy the show. Or go to sleep because it’s eleven o’clock and their already down by three.