Game-day Preview #29: Ottawa Senators @ Edmonton Oilers

Ottawa tries for revenge tonight versus the Oilers after they dropped the previous meeting

Note: Thomas Chabot ranks 5th amongst all defenceman in TOI/Game at 25:42

Player to Watch: Colin White

One of the better success stories so far this season has been the emergence of Colin White since the run of healthy scratches by Head Coach D.J. Smith.

With 7 goals and 13 points through just 24 games, White has been quite productive when given the opportunity, something he will be given tonight. In the lines from the morning skate White was seen patrolling the middle of the ice alongside Tim Stützle and Evgenii Dadonov, two of the teams better offensive options on the wing. This is the first time White has suited up on the second line and his promotion has been well deserved, White has 5 goals in his last 7 games.

Noted for his two-way capabilities when he was selected by the Senators with the 21st pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, while longterm he doesn’t seem to be a top-six centre, White is likely trending toward a versatile middle-six pivot.

News & Notes

Senators lines to start todays morning skate:

• Brady Tkachuk moves up alongside Josh Norris and Drake Batherson for the first time this season (whole line is 22 or under)
• Tim Stützle will see time playing with Evgenii Dadonov while Colin White handles the centre responsibilities
• Ryan Dzingel, Chris Tierney and Connor Brown likely form the “Shutdown” line that will match up against Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl
• Defence pairings remain the same, Brannstrom will remain in the lineup for tonight’s game
• Oiler and former Senator Kyle Turris was added to the Covid Protocol list and will not be playing tonight

Starting Goalies

Matt Murray

21 GP, 7-11-1, 0.885 SV%, 3.66 GAA

Ottawa is still looking for more consistency from Murray as he’s shown brief moments of great play, but usually only on a game-by-game basis. The Senators starter ranks last in the NHL in Goals Saved Above Expected with -17.6.

Mike Smith

11 GP, 7-2-2, 0.925 SV%, 2.30 GAA

Smith has enjoyed a bit of a renaissance this season in terms of his play. Over the last few seasons Smith has struggled to find consistency due to injuries and lackluster play, but has proven, at least this far, that he’s still a capable NHL goaltender.