Game-day Preview #52: Winnipeg Jets @ Ottawa Senators

After a humbling loss on Saturday night versus the Montreal Canadiens, the Senators look to bounce back tonight versus the Jets

As the regular season nears an end the Ottawa Senators take on a Winnipeg Jets team that is firmly in the playoff picture in the North division, currently sitting in 3rd place, while leading the 4th place Montreal Canadiens by 2 points and the 5th place Calgary Flames by 10 points for the final playoff spot.

With the Senators playing better of late they’ve been a tough out for any team in the division and have been a thorn in the Jets side over the past month where they’ve split their last four games. The Jets have taken 5 of the 8 games so far this season between the two but the recent reinvigorated play of the Senators should make it anyone’s game in the final two meetings.

Player to Watch: Victor Mete

Ever since being claimed on waivers from the Montreal Canadiens, Mete has given the Senators organization everything they could’ve imagined in his play and maybe even more. The 22-year-old defender has found a stable role on the bottom pairing with polarizing defenceman Josh Brown and surprisingly Mete has been the only player who’s been able to stabilize Brown’s play.

Mete displays tremendous skating ability on a nightly basis and he relies on that skill in order to be able to defend well due to his smaller frame (5’9″, 183 pounds). Usually, on full display in the defensive zone, Mete has also been very good at driving transition with his speed and did exactly that when he scored his first career goal with Ottawa:

A restricted free agent at season’s end, Mete has done everything in his power to earn a contract and hopefully the Senators jump at the opportunity.

News & Notes

• The Senators will roll out the same lineup once again with the exception of Alex Formenton replacing Mike Amadio after he missed the last game due to illness

• The duo of Alex Formenton and Shane Pinto appears to be split up for the first time during the Senators recent run

Starting Goalies

Filip Gustavsson

2020-21 Season Stats: 5 GP, 2-1-2, 0.940 SV%, 2.06 GAA

Gustavsson has been sensational every time he’s stepped into the crease so far this season whether in Sweden, the AHL or the NHL. The 22-year-old Skelleftea, Sweden native started the Senators’ last game, stopping 36/39 shots in a 3-2 overtime loss at the Bell Centre.

Laurent Brossoit

2020-21 Season Stats: 12 GP, 6-4-1, 0.922 SV%, 2.39 GAA

Brossoit has been a pleasant surprise this season for the Jets as he’s firmly asserted himself as the backup with his exceptional play whenever he gives starter Connor Hellebuyck the night off. The native of Port Alberni, British Columbia has won both of his starts versus the Senators this season, boasting a 0.929 save percentage and a 2.50 goals-against average in those starts.