GAMEDAY PREVIEW #59: The Ottawa Senators host the Detroit Red Wings
Senators set to host the Detroit Red Wings for back-to-back games
After Saturday’s win against the Montreal Canadiens, the Senators play their third of 4 games in a 5-day span and start their first game of a home and home against the Detroit Red Wings. These two games will provide a clearer picture for the wildcard race for the playoffs.
Ottawa Senators (28-26-4, 60 pts) VS Detroit Red Wings (28-22-8, 64 pts)
Time: 7 pm Eastern Time Zone
Where to Watch: TSN5, RDS2
Where to listen: TSN1200
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Ottawa Senators notes
These two games must be considered must-wins, in regulation. Should the Sens sweep these two games, they will tie the Red Wings in pursuit of the second wild-card spot. They will then have multiple games in hand to the current wild-card holders in the New York Islanders and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Head Coach DJ Smith mentions he has not decided on who will start in net tonight, but Cam Talbot was in the starter’s end for the morning skate. Should Talbot get the nod in net tonight, it could serve as an opportunity to show him off to contending teams looking for a goalie as it has been reported that he will most likely be traded before the trade deadline.
This series of games could help start a massive rivalry between the Ottawa Senators and the Detroit Red Wings for many years to come, as they are both in similar phases of their rebuilds.
A player to watch should be Austin Watson, as he had a marvelous night in Montreal on Saturday, scoring a goal and winning a fight against Michael Pezzetta. Expect him to try to continue this rush. It appears as if he could be traded before Friday’s trade deadline, as many teams have called on his availability.
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Detroit Red Wings notes
The Detroit Red Wings recently lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-0, on Saturday evening. Expect a vengeful effort from them tonight.
The Red Wings are 7-3-0 in their last ten games played.
Captain Dylan Larkin is still without a contract. He is currently point-per-game as he has scored 22 goals and 35 assists for 57 points in 57 games. He could be traded before Friday’s deadline.
Filip Zadina, who was picked 6th overall in the 2018 draft, two spots after the Senators drafted Brady Tkachuk, is slotted to play on the fourth line tonight. Zadina was the player a lot of sens fans originally wanted at 4th overall. Thankfully the Senators picked Tkachuk, and so far that seems to have been the right choice. Zadina still hopes to prove himself as a middle-six option for the Red Wings.
Ottawa Senators Lines
Brady Tkachuk – Tim Stützle – Claude Giroux
Alex DeBrincat – Shane Pinto – Drake Batherson
Mathieu Joseph – Dylan Gambrell – Julien Gauthier
Derick Brassard – Mark Kastelic – Austin Watson
Thomas Chabot – Artem Zub
Jake Sanderson – Travis Hamonic
Erik Brannstrom – Nick Holden
Cam Talbot
Mads Sogaard
Detroit Red Wings Lines
Tyler Bertuzzi – Dylan Larkin – David Perron
Robby Fabbri – Andrew Copp – Dominik Kubalik
Jakub Vrana – Joe Veleno – Jonatan Berggren
Filip Zadina – Pius Suter – Oskar Sundqvist
Jake Walman – Mortiz Seider
Ben Chiarot – Filip Hronek
Olli Maata – Gustav Lindstrom
Ville Husso
Magnus Hellberg