Game-day Preview #20: Montreal Canadiens @ Ottawa Senators
By Daniel Bruce
Ottawa returns from their 5-game road trip to take on the struggling Canadiens
7 PM ET. 9-5-2. 4-14-1. Canadiens -220. Sunday, Feb 21. 91. 152. TSN
Player to Watch: Mike Reilly
Quoted by D.J. Smith as the Senators best defenceman after Thomas Chabot and Nikita Zaitsev, Mike Reilly has been a pleasant surprise this season.
With Erik Brannstrom and Christian Wolanin pushing for ice-time, Reilly has to continue his good play to maintain a regular spot in the lineup because it doesn’t appear Erik Gudbranson is going anywhere.
This year Reilly has been an analytic darling, carrying a 55.22 CF% which ranks 4th among Senators skaters and 2nd among defencemen, only trailing his defence partner Artem Zub.
Reilly has played in 18 games this season and has yet to score, it would be perfect timing if he can find the back of the net against his former team.
News & Notes
- Thomas Chabot is a game-time decision for tonight’s game and will make a decision after warmups
Thomas Chabot - Says he its feeling better bud isn't sure if he will be in the lineup tonight. Will talk with the medical staff after the pregame skate and a decision will be made.
— TSN 1200 (@TSN1200) February 21, 2021
- It appears that Michael Haley will be inserted into the lineup for the second time this season, likely in place of Matthew Peca
4 players and goaltender Kevin Mandolese stayed on the ice after practice. Anisimov, JBrown, Wolanin and Peca. That could mean that Haley may come into the lineup to replace Peca.
— TSN 1200 (@TSN1200) February 21, 2021
- The Canadiens don’t have any injuries that are public and will likely be rolling a similar lineup to the one they played with last night.
Starting Goalies
Matt Murray
14 GP, 2-9-1, 0.878 SV%, 3.81 GAA
Murray came in for relief of an injured Marcus Hogberg and he ended up conceding 6 goals on 26 shots in the Senators’ loss to the Maple Leafs.
Prior to Murray’s relief appearance last game, he was on a roll, boasting a 0.929 SV% in his previous 6 appearances.
Jake Allen
6 GP, 4-2-0, 0.933 SV%, 2.01 GAA
Allen grabs the start as Carey Price started in yesterday’s 5-3 loss to Toronto. One of Marc Bergevin’s better acquisitions of the offseason, Allen has been spectacular and takes serious pressure off Price.