Game-Preview #50: Montreal Canadiens @ Ottawa Senators
The return of the Hamburglar
The surprising, sensational, and truly unbelievable stretch of play by Andrew Hammond during the magical 2014-15 season will never be forgotten by Senators fans, and even throughout the league.
Hammond was thrust into action by injuries to both Senators goaltenders Craig Anderson and Robin Lehner, and he wouldn’t look back, not even for a moment. Hammond started a total of 23 games, finishing with a record of 20-1-2, and sensational numbers of a 0.941 save percentage and a 1.79 goals-against-average, instilling enough confidence in the fan base that wins seemed inevitable. The now 34-year-old netminder has bounced around the minor leagues following his trade out of Ottawa in the 2017-18 season and has now found himself with the Montreal Canadiens, the team he made his first career start against.
7 PM ET. SN1. Saturday, Feb 26. 19-26-5. Senators -160. 12-33-7. 152. 91
Colin White Returns
The intriguing, two-way forward has been sidelined for the entire season so far after suffering a dislocated shoulder prior to the season, but now after making great progress during his rehab, White will make his return tonight.
The 25-year-old centerman is currently slotted to start on the 4th line, but Senators coach D.J. Smith expects to give White a shot on the top line too:
D.J. Smith adds we might see Colin White getting a few looks as a right winger with Brady Tkachuk (LW) & Tim Stützle (C) tomorrow vs MTL.
— Ian Mendes (@ian_mendes) February 25, 2022
White has shown offensive flair in the past, posting a career-high 41 points during the 2018-19 season and posting a respectful 10 goals and 18 points in 45 games last season. At the very least, White gives them an NHL body that will only help their depleted depth at center.
Team Leaders
Goals: OTT – Norris (18), MTL – Anderson (12)
Assists: OTT – Chabot (22), MTL – Suzuki (22)
Points: OTT – Tkachuk (37), MTL – Suzuki (33)
+/-: OTT – Batherson, Zub (+4), MTL – Lehkonen (-3)
Shots: OTT – Tkachuk (171), MTL – Suzuki (116)
Hits: OTT – Tkachuk (168), MTL – Romanov (168)
Starting Goalies
Matt Murray – OTT
2021-22 Season Stats:17 GP, 5-9-2, 0.919 SV%, 2.69 GAA, 1 SO
Murray has been one of the better goalies in the NHL over the last couple of months, in 11 appearances during that time period, over that stretch, the veteran goaltender has a 0.932 save percentage.
The Murray family welcomed a new baby to the world on Tuesday, and this will be his first start since the birth of his child.
Andrew Hammond – MTL
2021-22 Season Stats: 1 GP, 1-0-0, 0.938 SV%, 1.85 GAA
Hammond stopped 30/32 shots in his first start as a part of the Canadiens, and will come back to the site of some of his greatest memories, at the Canadian Tire Centre.
All stats via Hockey Reference