Game-day Preview #22: Calgary Flames @ Ottawa Senators
By Daniel Bruce
Ottawa matches up against Calgary for the first time this season, the last Canadian team they’d yet to play
9-9-2. TSN. Flames -155. 112. Thursday, Feb 25. 6-14-1. 91. 7 PM ET
After splitting the season series last year, the Senators enter a stretch of 5 of 6 games featuring the Flames so the teams will get a lot more familiar with each other.
Player to Watch: Brady Tkachuk
Facing off against his brother once again this season and this year they have a chance to create a little sibling rivalry in the North Division. Brady is fresh off a dominant performance against the Montreal Canadiens, where he took a stranglehold of the game with 2 goals, 4 shots, a fight and 7 hits. He’s not only the Player to Watch because of his matchup with his brother, Brady has been undisputably the team’s best player over the past few games.
Brady Tkachuk league ranks:
- 1st in shots (89)
- 2nd in hits (90)
- 6th in penalty minutes (30)
- 1st in HDCF (high-danger chances for own team while on ice) (34)
Anything can happen when Tkachuk is on the ice, he has multiple ways to get on the scoresheet and makes an impact in any game he plays in. There’s no doubt Tkachuk will set the tone tonight and will likely be causing havoc all over the ice.
News & Notes
- Due to Derek Stepan’s injury, Artem Anisimov was recalled from the Taxi Squad and will take the injured forwards place on the third line between Tim Stützle and Drake Batherson
- Matthew Peca and Erik Brannstrom were both recalled from the Taxi Squad while Logan Brown was recalled to the team’s Taxi Squad and Derek Stepan was placed on Injured Reserve
Roster update: The #Sens have made the following roster moves:
— Sens Communications (@Media_Sens) February 25, 2021
D Erik Brannstrom and C Matthew Peca have been recalled from the team's taxi squad.
C Logan Brown has been recalled from @BellevilleSens and re-assigned to the taxi squad.
C Derek Stepan has been placed on IR.
Former Ottawa Senator Buddy Robinson could potentially suit up tonight as he was added to the NHL roster. In totality the moves were:
Looks like Nikita Nesterov comes back in tonight in Ottawa. Per NHL media site, Oliver Kylington removed from the active roster.
— Pat Steinberg (@Fan960Steinberg) February 25, 2021
Buddy Robinson added to the roster, so he’s an option tonight on the fourth line. #Flames
Starting Goalies
Matt Murray
16 GP, 4-9-1, 0.883 SV%, 3.66 GAA
Murray wasn’t great in his last start, stopping 32/36 shots but he made some key saves when it mattered, like his breakaway save on Tyler Toffoli in overtime. However, the prized acquisition is starting to look like the goalie the Senators expected when they traded for.
David Rittich
7 GP, 1-3-2, 0.919 SV%, 2.29 GAA
Rittich has been a solid contributor to one of the better goaltending duos so far this season. His record doesn’t paint the whole story as his save percentage and goals-against average are significantly above average.