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Game-day Preview #54: Ottawa Senators @ Winnipeg Jets

By Daniel Bruce

VANCOUVER, BC - APRIL 22: Erik Brannstrom #26 of the Ottawa Senators skates with the puck during NHL action against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on April 22, 2021 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BC - APRIL 22: Erik Brannstrom #26 of the Ottawa Senators skates with the puck during NHL action against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on April 22, 2021 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images) /
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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
  • 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.

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