Game-day Preview #27: Ottawa Senators @ Calgary Flames
By Daniel Bruce
The Senators head into Calgary looking for their first win on their 6-game road trip
The Ottawa Senators turned in one of their worst efforts of the season in their last outing versus the these same Flames, losing 7-3 in a game that looked doomed from the start.
Player to Watch: Thomas Chabot
Chabot has had an extremely quiet 16 points so far this season, which places him in a tie for 13th among defenceman and just 6 points behind the leading point-getter. The bonafide number one defenceman on the Senators roster, Chabot is as crucial to the team’s success than any other player on the roster.
Averaging 25:36 TOI/game, Chabot ranks 5th among qualified defenders in this metric as he’s relied upon heavily by the Senators on a nightly basis. Also being ranked 11th among defencemen in shots (61), Chabot regularly finds himself in the top 10 of categories for his position, impressive at just 24-years-old.
Analytically Chabot has shown improvement especially in possession metrics, his 51.34 Corsi-For percentage is at a career-high rate. It’s clear Chabot has rebounded from what was a poor season last year and should continue to blossom into one of the better defencemen in the game.
News & Notes
- Erik Brannstrom will be in the lineup once again, while Braydon Coburn was sent back to the Taxi Squad
- If Mike Reilly isn’t good to go tonight, Christian Wolanin will take his place
DJ Smith says they'll dress 7 D for warmup tonight and if Mike Reilly can't play, Christian Wolanin will draw back into the lineup.
— Ian Mendes (@ian_mendes) March 7, 2021
If Wolanin doesn't play tonight in Calgary, it sure sounds like he would play Monday in Edmonton.
- Calgary fired head coach Geoff Ward following their 7-3 win over Ottawa on Thursday and in a following move hired two-time Stanley Cup winning head coach Darryl Sutter.
Starting Goalies:
Matt Murray
20 GP, 6-11-1, 0.883 SV%, 3.72 GAA
In the Senators 7-3 loss to the Flames on Thursday, Murray was pulled for the third time this season after allowing 4 goals on 11 shots in the first period.
Jacob Markstrom
16 GP, 8-7-3, 0.909 SV%, 2.89 GAA
Markstrom makes his second start within the last 24 hours after returning from a two week ailment, he stopped 30/33 shots in yesterdays 3-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers.