Game Preview #64: Ottawa Senators @ Winnipeg Jets
Senators eager to get new addition Hamonic into lineup versus Jets
After missing the Senators first game post-deadline (a 3-0 loss to NYI), veteran defenceman Travis Hamonic will take to the ice with his new teammates for the first time. At 31, Hamonic was acquired for a 3rd round selection in the upcoming 2022 NHL Entry Draft, a deal that was met with it plenty of backlash, however, the team is banking on a return to form, from Hamonic’s days on Long Island with Senators assistant coach Jack Capuano.
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Morning Skate Report
Reports are that Hamonic will make his Senators debut tonight, the St. Malo, Manitoba native will be returning to his hometown, and expects plenty of family to be in the stands for tonight’s game.
Smith - Hamonic will play tonight. Hasn't skated since Sunday but he is ready to go and has a ton of family here for the game.
— TSN 1200 (@TSN1200) March 24, 2022
Hamonic has appeared in 24 games this season with the Vancouver Canucks, amassing 7 points in 24 games while playing an average of 18:22 minutes of ice-time per game. The 31-year-old defenceman was never widely regarded for his offensive flair in the past but has produced 24+ points in 3 separate seasons, including a career-high 33 points during the 2014-15 season. I wouldn’t expect much in the offensive department from Hamonic though, expect him to play a more-sheltered, shutdown role that will suit his current game best.
It appears Michael Del Zotto may be the lone man out tonight, as Hamonic will be taking his spot on the bottom-pairing beside Victor Mete. Forward lines stayed the same during the morning skate but could be subject to change.
Morning skate lines in Winnipeg.
— TSN 1200 (@TSN1200) March 24, 2022
Tkachuk Norris White
Formenton Stützle CBrown
Joseph Tierney Gaudette
Ennis Gambrell Watson
Brannstrom Zub
Holden Zaitsev
Mete/Del Zotto Hamonic
Forsberg- Starters end.
Gustavsson
Hopefully, Senators head coach D.J. Smith decides to try and move the newly-acquired Mathieu Joseph up the lineup, as he gets more adapted to his surroundings.
The Senators will also be facing a familiar face, recently traded winger Zach Sanford slides into the Jets lineup for his second game since the trade, Ottawa acquired a 5th round pick in 2022 from Winnipeg.
Team Leaders
Goals: OTT – Norris (26), WPG – Connor (39)
Assists: OTT – Chabot (28), WPG – Connor (40)
Points: OTT – Tkachuk (44), WPG – Connor (79)
+/-: OTT – Batherson (+4), WPG – Dillon (+16)
Shots: OTT – Tkachuk (218), WPG – Connor (274)
Hits: OTT – Tkachuk (207), WPG – Lowry (189)
Starting Goalies
Anton Forsberg – OTT
2021-22 Season Stats: 32 GP, 14-13-2, 0.918 SV%, 2.75 GAA, 1 SO
Forsberg was signed to a well-deserved 3-year $10.25 million contract that will keep the 28-year-old veteran netminder in Ottawa over the next few seasons, adding some much-needed stability to the Senators crease.
Banking on the light workload and varied results by Filip Gustavsson this season, and Matt Murray’s inability to stay healthy, the team needed a go-to option next season, and that seems to be Forsberg. He’s been stellar this season, especially on the penalty kill:
Anton Forsberg, signed to a 3x$2.75M extension by OTT, has had a strong season for the Senators after being a journeyman for a few years. Most of his success has been on the penalty kill, where he ranks 2nd in goals saved above expected per 60. #GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/iyVsc5HUqv
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) March 21, 2022
Connor Hellebuyck – WPG
2021-22 Season Stats: 54 GP, 23-22-9, 0.911 SV%, 2.96 GAA, 4 SO
Hellebuyck still remains one of the league’s premier goaltenders and is relied upon as such, leading all NHL netminders with 54 games played.
All stats via Hockey Reference