Game-day Preview #21: Montreal Canadiens @ Ottawa Senators
By Daniel Bruce
The Senators look for their fourth win in their last 6 games in a matchup versus the Habs
9-5-3. TSN. Tuesday, Feb 23. 91. Canadiens -220. 7 PM ET. 152. 5-14-1
Player to Watch: Micheal Haley
Oddly is Haley ever going to fit the criteria to be a typical “Player to Watch” but for this matchup against the Habs it seems likely that he’s in the lineup for one reason. The Canadiens have been taking liberties on the young Senator players, this spear by Phillip Danault on Tim Stützle) will likely be discussed:
Danault spears Stützle in the throat https://t.co/sJZDZjG3iZ
— Main Team (@MainTeamSports) February 22, 2021
Artem Anisimov was assigned to the Taxi Squad while Haley was promoted to the game-day roster. Haley played in the past meeting between the teams on Sunday and he struggled to make an impact in his 3:32 of ice time. Comments like these from Connor Brown make it seem that Haley may be more active in tonight’s game:
Connor Brown - asked about Danault spear on Stutzle. We have a lot of players on this team who know how to take care of their team mates.
— TSN 1200 (@TSN1200) February 23, 2021
Expect a chippy one in Ottawa.
News & Notes
- Micheal Haley steps back into the lineup for Artem Anisimov in the subsequent move:
Roster update: The #Sens have made the following roster moves:
— Sens Communications (@Media_Sens) February 23, 2021
Forward Micheal Haley has been recalled from the team's taxi squad.
In a corresponding move, forward Artem Anisimov has been re-assigned to the team's taxi squad.
- Thomas Chabot is once again a game-time decision but this time the outlook is much more optimistic:
DJ Smith - Chabot will be a game time decision but said there's a better chance he'll play than not.
— TSN 1200 (@TSN1200) February 23, 2021
If Chabot can’t play Braydon Coburn will take his place.
- Brett Kulak swaps in for Victor Mete on the backend after Mete was beaten clean on Drake Batherson’s goal last game.
Starting Goalies
Matt Murray
15 GP, 3-9-1, 0.883 SV%, 3.66 GAA
Murray was sensational on Sunday in Ottawa‘s 3-2 Overtime victory stopping 30/32 shots, his play has been trending upward as of late.
Carey Price
10 GP, 5-3-2, 0.893 SV %, 2.88 GAA
Price gets the start after Jake Allen was between the pipes last game. Price yielded 5 goals on 27 shots in a 5-3 loss versus Toronto in his last start.