Last week, the Ottawa Senators went 2-1-1 on their four-game home stand. The most recent game was a loss this past Saturday against the Los Angeles Kings. Tonight, the start of a seven-game road trip begins for the Senators against the Anaheim Ducks.
Given the Senators' current position of being out of a playoff position in the Eastern Conference, this road trip will be pivotal. Starting the road trip off against one of the NHL's biggest surprises this season will offer as a good test for the Senators at this point in the season.
Sens begin road trip in Anaheim
The Senators travel to Honda Center to face the Ducks. Puck drop is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET.
Rest was needed for the Senators with the long road trip ahead. The Senators have not played since they fell 1-0 in regulation against the Kings this past Saturday. Former Senators goaltender Anton Forsberg shutout his former team by making 17 saves. Despite losing, Linus Ullmark made a strong start by making 17 saves to keep the Senators in the game.
On Tuesday morning, ahead of tonight's game, the Senators recalled both forward Stephen Halliday and defenseman Lassi Thomson from Belleville with injuries and struggling play hitting the Ottawa lineup.
For the Ducks, they have arguably been the biggest surprise in the NHL by being in first place in the Pacific Division with a 13-6-1 overall record. The Ducks enter tonight having won their past two games, with the most recent game being a 4-3 win last night against the Boston Bruins.
Leo Carlsson has taken the NHL by storm this season by leading the Ducks with 27 points. Carlsson's 16 assists are tied for first on the roster along with Troy Terry, who is third on the team with 22 points. assists. Cutter Gauthier leads the Ducks with 12 goals and is second on the team with 23 points. Newly acquired Chris Kreider also has 10 goals this season.
The Senators fared well against the Ducks last season by earning three of a possible four points. The one loss for the Senators was a shootout loss in Anaheim, but Drake Batherson scored a hat trick to help lead the Senators to a win in the next meeting.