Game-day Preview #54: Ottawa Senators @ Winnipeg Jets
Ottawa starts off a mini road trip with a battle in Winnipeg as they near seasons end
The hottest team in the North Division (yes, the Ottawa Senators) take on the reeling Jets who have won just 3 games in their last 10, while the Senators have been victorious in 7 of 10.
Player to Watch: Erik Brannstrom
Brannstrom has finally found his way onto the roster full-time, after a few months spent as a healthy scratch, in the AHL and playing sparingly in the NHL, he’s finally found consistent playing time.
The 21-year-old native of Eksjo Sweden has formed a formidable pairing alongside Senators revelation Artem Zub since the team traded Mike Reilly at the trade deadline. In 11 games since the trade deadline Brannstrom has been a driving force from the backend, producing 6 assists and a plus 8 rating during that stretch.
Lots of people have been skeptical of Brannstrom, mostly because of the minimal results he’s been able to turn in since the Mark Stone trade but people tend to forget that most defenceman aren’t NHL ready well past their 21st birthday. With the way he’s been playing, it’s likely he maintains his role on the second pairing along with Artem Zub next season and should also quarterback the second power-play.
News & Notes
- Alex Formenton will be out of the lineup with a minor injury sustained in the team’s previous game, meaning Vitaly Abramov will stay in the lineup
DJ Smith - asked about his roster and he said....it will be the same as practice yesterday. So that would mean Formenton won't play and Abramov will take his place and Gustavsson was in the starters end...so....Forsberg will back up.
— TSN 1200 (@TSN1200) May 8, 2021
- Olle Alsing will be in the lineup once again for the Senators, placed on the third pairing next to Jacob Bernard-Docker
Starting Goalies
Filip Gustavsson
2020-21 Season Stats: 6 GP, 3-1-2, 0.944 SV%, 1.86 GAA
Gustavsson has completely revived his career with the Senators with his outstanding play this season, in both the AHL and NHL. In his previous start, which was against the Winnipeg Jets where he stopped 28/29 shots.
Connor Hellebuyck
2020-21 Season Stats: 42 GP, 22-16-6, 0.915 SV%, 2.65 GAA
Hellebuyck is back to his Vezina ways this season and despite the Jets recent struggles, he hasn’t played been the reason for the slide.