Game-day Preview #24: Calgary Flames @ Ottawa Senators
Dropping their previous game 6-3 to the Flames, the Senators look to rebound in the rubber match
10-10-2. TSN. Monday, March 1. 91. 112. 7-15-1. Flames -150. 7 PM ET
Player to Watch: Drake Batherson
“The Drake” has been one of the league’s hottest goal-scorers over the past couple of weeks, he’s scored in his last 5 games and has goals in 6 of his last 7. Over the course of the last 7 games, Batherson has 6 goals and 3 assists, mainly due to the instant chemistry he’s created with Tim Stützle.
Known as more of a playmaker during his time with Belleville, Batherson seems to have added another dangerous aspect to his game with his ability to find the back of the net, on shots like these:
That would be goals in five straight games for @drrakebatherson. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/CkEJmCGWm5
— NHL (@NHL) February 27, 2021
The Senators have been using Batherson as a primary facilitator from the right-wing, where he has the option of passing it down low to Brady Tkachuk, a cross-seam opportunity to Tim Stützle, drop it back to Thomas Chabot or take the shot himself. The 22-year-old forward has quickly become the Senators leading power-play producer with 8 points with the man advantage so far this season. In the last matchup, the Senators were able to score all 3 of their goals on the man advantage and the progress of a player like Batherson could be enough to make this a feared unit.
News & Notes
Erik Brannstrom is a healthy scratch for tonight’s game while Braydon Coburn steps in on the third-pairing with Erik Gudbranson
The Senators also made some minor roster moves:
1/2 Roster update: The #Sens have made the following roster moves:
— Sens Communications (@Media_Sens) March 1, 2021
D Braydon Coburn has been recalled from the team's taxi squad.
C Logan Brown and G Filip Gustavsson have been re-assigned to @BellevilleSens.
2/2 Roster update: The #Sens have made the following roster moves:
— Sens Communications (@Media_Sens) March 1, 2021
C Clark Bishop and G Kevin Mandolese have been recalled from the B-Sens and re-assigned to the team's taxi squad.
- D.J. Smith expects Logan Brown to get some games in the near future, the send down to Belleville is to get Brown to game speed after missing some games due to a minor injury
Starting Goalies
Matt Murray
18 GP, 5-10-1, 0.884 SV%, 3.72 GAA
Murray gets the start on the first half of a back-to-back after a poorous performance on Saturday where he allowed 6 goals on 33 shots in the 6-3 defeat. It appears like Ottawa is going with Daccord tomorrow versus Montreal.
David Rittich
9 GP, 2-4-2, 0.907 SV%, 2.77 GAA
Rittich responded from being pulled in the first game of the series with a solid performance on Saturday afternoon where he turned aside 31 of 34 shots directed his way.