After not playing since Sunday night in Anaheim, California, the Ottawa Senators are back home for the next four games. The Senators recently went 1-1-1 on their three-game California road trip to earn three of a possible six points.
As the Senators currently sit with a 10-12-2 record, the next four games at home are crucial to remain alive in the Eastern Conference standings. With the Detroit Red Wings ahead of the Senators by two points, tonight's game adds more pressure on the Senators who have lost their last two games in California.
Senators host Red Wings to begin four-game home stand
The Senators host the Red Wings at Canadian Tire Centre with puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Tonight is the first of four meetings between the Senators and Red Wings this season. Against the Red Wings last season, the Senators won the season series 3-1-0. Two of the three wins for the Senators came in overtime.
The Senators started off their California road trip with earning a 4-3 win against the San Jose Sharks in the Bay, but lost the next two games against the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks in Southern California.
In the Senators' last game on Sunday night against the Ducks, they fell 4-3 in a shootout. Brady Tkachuk scored twice and Nick Cousins ended a 13-game goal drought in the loss. Linus Ullmark was pressured throughout the game and finished making 31 saves against the Ducks offense.
Even with losing the final two games of the three-game California road trip, earning a point against the Ducks was important. A point is something to build off of and the Senators need every point they can earn to remain in the playoff hunt before playing at home for the next four games.
As for the Red Wings, they come into tonight on a three-game losing streak to have a 10-11-4 record. The past two losses for the Red Wings have come in overtime against the Boston Bruins and Vancouver Canucks.
Lucas Raymond leads the Red Wings in assists with 18 and points with 27. Dylan Larkin leads the Red Wings with 12 goals.
Momentum can be grow more from Sunday night with the Senators earning a point to close out their previous road trip. With three days of rest as well, it can also help the Senators for tonight.