After a hard-fought overtime loss in Washington, the Senators are right back at it tonight in Columbus
The Ottawa Senators will finish off the second half of a weekend back-to-back tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets, the first meeting between the two teams this season.
With the new mobility inserted on the back end with Erik Brannstrom and Jacob Bernard-Docker, the Senators are possessing the puck a lot more and are spending much more time in the offensive zone in comparison to the beginning of the season. Even with losing their last 3 games, their play has warranted better results, registering 40+ shots in 2 of their last 3 games it’s clear the team has put forth a concerted in creating more offence.
The move of Tim Stützle to the center position has benefited both the team and the player. Stützle is up to 10 points (5g, 5a) in his last 12 games and Senators head coach D.J. Smith has been extremely impressed with how the 20-year-old has been performing as of late, citing him as the team’s best player on some nights.
Games Notes
- D.J. Smith expects to get a few fresh faces in the lineup tonight on the second half of a back-to-back.
DJ Smith - We will a couple of changes to our lineup to get some fresh guys in and we have a few guys with bumps and bruises.
— TSN 1200 (@TSN1200) January 23, 2022
Anton Forsberg will get the start tonight.
- The last game between these two teams was on February 24th, 2020. A total of 699 days between meetings.
Team Leaders
Goals: OTT – Norris (18), CBJ – Jenner (16)
Assists: OTT – Batherson (21), CBJ – Voracek (25)
Points: OTT – Batherson (33), CBJ – Bjorkstrand, Jenner (27)
+/-: OTT – Zub (+4), CBJ – Kuraly (+9)
Shots: OTT – Tkachuk (100), CBJ – Werenski (115)
Hits: OTT – Tkachuk (112), CBJ – Kuraly (102)
Starting Goalies
Anton Forsberg – OTT
2021-22 Season Stats: 15 GP, 6-6-1, 0.907 SV%, 3.17 GAA, 1 SO
Forsberg will look to bounce back after a pair of disappointing defeats, especially when the veteran goaltender was pulled after allowing 3* goals (goal waived off) on 7 shots versus the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Elvis Merzlikins
2021-22 Season Stats: 24 GP, 14-9-1, 0.910 SV%, 3.10 GAA, 2 SO
Merzlikins has been the Blue Jackets featured goalie for most of the season, yielding solid and consistent results throughout the season so far.
All stats via Hockey Reference