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Game-Preview #35: Ottawa Senators @ Columbus Blue Jackets

By Daniel Bruce

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 22: Thomas Chabot #72 of the Ottawa Senators celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Washington Capitals during the first period of the game at Capital One Arena on January 22, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 22: Thomas Chabot #72 of the Ottawa Senators celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Washington Capitals during the first period of the game at Capital One Arena on January 22, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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Thomas Chabot #72 of the Ottawa Senators (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Thomas Chabot #72 of the Ottawa Senators (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

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.

91. TSN 5. 18-19-1. 113. Blue Jackets -130. 11-20-3. 6 PM ET. Sunday, Jan 23

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.
  • 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

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