Suddenly Surging Ottawa Senators Gaining Momentum Heading Into Big Weekend Back-To-Back

Suddenly Surging Ottawa Senators Gaining Momentum Heading Into Big Weekend Back-To-Back

On today’s show, we’ll break down the Ottawa Senator’s most complete performance of the season, shutting out the Pittsburgh Penguins, >> and we’ll preview back-to-back games this weekend. >> This is Brad Kachchuck, and you’re listening to the Locked On Senators podcast. >> You’re Locked On Senators, [music] your daily podcast on the Ottawa Senators, part of the Locked On podcast network, your team every day. Welcome. You are locked on to the Ottawa Senators. I’m Ross Levitan alongside Brandon Pillar. And today’s episode is brought to you by Game Time. You need lastminute tickets. Get them for the lowest prices with Game Time. Just download the Game Time app. Create an account and use code locked on NHL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Today is Friday, December 19th, and Pillsy. We’ve been begging for a start to finish dominant win and we got one last night with a one never in doubt beating up on the Pittsburgh Penguins. >> Yeah, what a way to come back from the road trip. I mean, this is what we wanted the sends to do last time. Didn’t work out that way, but they made up for it this time with a huge 4 nothing win up against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The sends first shut out of the season. Took a little longer than you would have liked though. Yes, it did. There’s some teams with more than five shutouts. I’m looking at you, Minnesota. But if you’re the Ottawa Senators and if you’re Elenus Almark, he called it getting the monkey off his back. He’d been thinking about this and he was building to it as well. Phenomenal in the third period in overtime against the Winnipeg Jets. Had a 920 save percentage there. Brings it home and brings his save percentage up up up a few ticks, which was great to see. Then we’ll get into the question of which game do you start Lena Almark in this weekend. You imagine the two goalies will split that. But for his confidence, he’s a goalie that’s a bit streaky. We’re learning that throughout his first year and a bit in Ottawa. And it was about this time last year where he was just absolutely unbeatable. >> Yeah, he really started heating up in December. Now, there was an injury uh in the middle of that where he’s played this season majority of the games. I I think you want Lenus Almark up against the more important opponent in the Boston Bruins in my opinion and he gets an extra day off there. So I would go Levy Maril line and Saturday up against Chicago and then Lenus Almark Sunday up against Boston in Boston. >> Okay, give him a little revenge game opportunity. I don’t mind that. But what we’re also looking is some big news this weekend and that is the return imminent for Thomas Shabbat. Dennis Gilbert has been reassigned to the Belleville Sens. They’ve got a game tonight, their first one under new head coach Andrew Campbell, interim head coach. But we’ll see what that means for Shabbat, whether they put him in for both games or if they’re looking at, hey, let’s ease him in. We saw him come back too early and reagravate it. What’s going to be the process there? It was a off ice activation day for the Senators, so no line combos. We’ll break that down a little bit later, but you weren’t on the postcast, Pelysey, so your overall thoughts on last night’s game. >> Epic game. Uh, I missed the first two periods, got home from my beer league game to watch the third, then watch the condensed game after. I mean, there’s not really much you can say about the Ottawa Senators other than a textbook win there. Like Brady Kachchuck getting that power play goal. Elite little backhand sauce from Bathson to start it off on the power play. wanted that first goal, they got it. And then not only do they get goals from the veterans and David Prawn and Clo Jaru, but they were creating chances all night, like Tim Stuttz with that short-handed breakaway silky move, he can’t beat him. Um, I thought they were really creating offense all over the place. And the Pittsburgh Penguins did score a goal, but it was disallowed right away. And Pittsburgh challenged it and the challenge failed also. So, like that’s what you want to see cuz I it wouldn’t have hit the same Ross if this was a 4-1 game. I think that shut out was huge for Lenus Allar’s confidence. So, I’m glad that was the case. And then I feel bad # goalie friendly show. When a goalie’s in no man’s land skating to the bench like Sheilovs was there and Brady Kachchuck gets the puck that bounces over Carlson’s stick and he just pots the empty net there cuz uh that’s a tough look. Nice for Brady to keep things going here as he now has three goals in his last two games. >> Yeah, that’s huge, too, right? I know he’d trade them all just to get two points in the standings, but he’s going to be an important piece offensively for this team going forward. And there were some questions, I think, among the fan base where it’s like, is his shot a little bit off after having the broken thumb? Obviously, that’s going to affect the way you’re holding the stick, your ability to practice shooting for quite a while. And yeah, he turned into a playmaker there for a bit, but great to see him back scoring. That’s three goals in his last two games now and we’ll see how he continues that this weekend with two huge games coming up. I was also impressed on the back end with a few of the depth guys who probably knew that Thomas Shabbat’s close to coming back. I thought that Jordan Spence had a really nice performance. I thought Nicholas Matten Paulo on his offside blocked three shots in that game. had the assist on the empty netter, which is obviously uh the way that goal went in. Not necessarily the the the hardest working assist that he’s ever had, but always good to see you get on the point sheet. Nick Jensen also assisted on that goal. Got the same feeling there. So, it’s going to be a interesting decision to see if maybe it’s Nick Jensen coming out. I highly doubt that. My guess would be that it’s going to be Thomas Shabbat, Nick Jensen on the second pair. And then you’ve got Cleven and Spence in a little bit more sheltered role than they’ve been able to play in the last little while. But good problems to have right now because it’s not one guy right now that you’re like, “Oh goodness, you got to get him out of the lineup.” It feels like the Ottawa Senators overall their last four games where they have a 3-1 and 0 record and it could have very well been 4-0, the unfortunate ending in Minnesota stopping that from happening. But the boys are playing real good hockey right now. So, I think this backto back for a Saturday Sunday is coming at a great time. First backtoback in a while for the Sans as well. They haven’t had a backto back in quite some time. Was it the eighth and ninth when they played Philly in Utah? Like it it’s been a a long time. It feels like start of the season. There were a few mixed in there. Yeah. No backtobacks since early November. So, I’m excited for this one. The Suns historically very good with those weekend Saturday, Sunday backtobacks. I mean, they got the back-to-back wins against Philly and Utah the last time they had that and last year they were elite in those situations. So, really, really excited for this and we don’t have to wait long on Saturday for the game either being a 3:00 start. >> Yeah, I mean maybe Clo Drew can keep it going. I said look out for him up against the Penguins. He scores that goal. Kind of a funny one, too. Stuck in Michael Amario skate and Drew is like, “Hey, let me get this.” And just slings it in. Um, but then let’s keep it rolling. a matinea game on Saturday for G as well. >> What uh was Eric Carlson thinking on that play? >> Uh I don’t know what what happened with Carl there. >> He was just caught watching. I >> don’t know. I was asking you. >> Yeah. Well, I don’t remember what what happened there. I think he was just when it gets caught in a player skate like that, I think you’re waiting for that puck to come out, but it kind of was like magnetized to Mattio’s uh skate blade. And then Drew just picked it out. >> Yeah. And uh yeah, Carl was just kind of Yeah. caught in in no man’s land. But all good. We’re fine with that with the Ottawa Senators earning it. And kind of cool. I mentioned on the postcast, but the Penguins are one of the oldest teams in the league and Ottawa’s two oldest players both scored in the game with Peron getting his 800th point and Klo Jaru finding his way. Only Jaru’s second goal in his last uh 15 games. So nice to see him get some offensive production and we’ll see if that can continue in his favorite spots. Those matineese that are coming up. Uh although the Sunday game is a 700 p.m. start, but tomorrow in particular will be interesting. We’ll get to a full game day preview a little bit later on. You can save it for Saturday morning or you can get in the mix early and find out what the heck we’re looking forward to. No Connor Bard, by the way, in the lineup. I know that’s a a ticket sales dream to have those superstar players coming to town when they’re in the Western Conference. It’s only once a year. Connor Baddard will not be in the lineup. And the Chicago Blackhawks, they could use them. They’ve been losing quite a bit of late, including back-to-back losses on this road trip in Eastern Canada to the Leafs and then to the Montreal Canadians last night. But if you’re looking at this from Ottawa’s perspective, waking up this morning, you’re looking at not only this one game, but I think you could even go really the stretch since the last Chicago game. Like, is is that fair to say? From that point on, I mean, the Sands have an 118 and3 record. It doesn’t jump out at you when you add in those uh overtime losses. You’re at a 500 pace from 22 games out. But I just I like the way they’re building here, man. There’s so much to look forward to. And I really think that the way these players were kind of forced to grow up defensively with Thomas Shabbat out, I think I think watching Tyler Cleven this weekend, it’s going to be really interesting to see him with a little bit less pressure on his plate. >> Yeah. And uh the penalty kill has really done well, Ross. Another game where it’s a perfect uh 100% on the penalty kill. How about shutting old man Sid out, not allowing him to reach an illustrious milestone while David Pon and Tim Stutzel rub it in his face getting 800th point and 400th game. >> Yep. The Senators PK is 12 for their last 14. So if that can keep up, that would be a very very good sign and it helps. And your power play has been lighting it up. Get this PZY over the last seven games. Now the sends are 34 and0 during this stretch. The power play has gone 10 for its last 25. >> Yeah. >> Solid. >> It’s so interesting how there’s es and flows in a power play like that, right? Like they score early. First power play of the game, two minutes. And Brady Kachchuck said after the game like you don’t always want that early power play because you’re not really into the game yet. You haven’t had a lot of puck touches. You haven’t skated a whole lot. The ice is still fresh. You don’t know what’s going on. But when you can score on it, man, that just brings all the momentum into your favor. >> But the flip zone of of that is the penalty killers aren’t really into the game yet either, right? So, you’d rather be the team on the man advantage when everyone’s still fresh and feeling it than be the team down trying to figure it out. >> Yeah, that’s fair. Uh I think Yeah, maybe. I think when you’re looking at the how quick you have to move it around on the outside like that, you have to be crispy right off the bat. Not always easy to do. They did it though. >> They did it. They did it and they will hopefully continue to do that. And the Chicago Blackhawks have a great PK. So, it’s going to be a good test for the Senators tomorrow. We’ll get to that game day preview. We’ll get to what Thomas Shabbat’s return means for the Ottawa Senators and a whole lot more next. You’re listening to Locked On Senators, your team every day. Today’s episode is brought to you by our friends over at Game Time. The World Cup is coming back to North America for the first time since 1994. And with 48 teams, it’s going to be massive. But let’s be honest, getting tickets is usually the hardest part. That’s why the Game Time app is clutch. Finally giving fans a real advantage when it comes to snagging seats. 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That’s locked on 40 for $40 off your first order at farmtoforkdely.ca. All right, Billsy, just want to thank everyone for making Locked On Senators your first listen of the day and for making Locked On the number one sports podcast network. You already live your team every day. Now, let’s take it up a level and go ad free. You can join the Everydayers Club today and get locked on sends with no interruptions along with access to a membersonly Discord and more. All for just $5 a month or $50 a year. You can head to the link below, locked on senators.supcast.com to learn more. We only scratched the surface on Lenus Almark’s performance last night. 24 saves, first shut out of the season. His first period saves were outrageously confident building. There was no rebounds. There was elite lateral mobility. And what I love most is he didn’t put himself in bad situations. He had to make that save against Winnipeg where he gave the puck away behind the net. This was just a calm, cool, collected victory for Lena Almar. >> Yeah. And I think that big finish to the Winnipeg game helped bring that momentum over because the start of that Winnipeg game was not great for Lena Smark. Um it looked like he was playing with two blockers out there. Everything that hit his glove was falling down and he wasn’t tracking rebounds good. Whereas cam come overtime in the third period of the Jets game, he really dialed it in and then he carried that over to this game with the shut out. So I think it’s so massive he gets the shut out here. Like you said last year, this is when he started heating up. So, I hope we can see that again here. >> Yeah, so can I. And you’re going up against Chicago’s got an elite goalender with Spencer Knight. We expect that he will start in this game. So, Ottawa is going to have to match it whether it’s Marilyn and or Mark in net. I would like to see Levy get a bit more goal support than he’s had in the last couple of games because I I don’t think that the the last game in particular in Minnesota is one where you can point at the goalending and say, “Ah, he could have been better. I thought Levy was great in that game.” doesn’t get the result and the numbers aren’t there, but I really do still have confidence in him to be better. And and I mean, we we’re not going to dance around it. After the second period in Winnipeg, I say you you’re losing me, man. You got to be able to put on some some confidence for your team and he just wasn’t able to do it. And now all of a sudden, he can’t miss. He’s been awesome. So great great situation the Senators find themselves in there and they’re in the division of death. I’m going to call it the Atlantic division where it’s about as tight as you could imagine. We looked at on Monday the games that are remaining before the Christmas break for each of these teams. Now after last night all eight teams have played one of their remaining three or four games. And get this, Billy. The top three teams in the division, Detroit, Boston, Tampa, they all lost that game in regulation. Whereas the bottom five teams, only Toronto lost. The other four teams win. So it was close on Monday and it’s even even closer now on Friday. Yeah, definitely. And that’s why the Suns picking up points, two points in back-to-back games is so clutch. And don’t forget, the Suns have games in hand on a lot of these teams ahead of them. uh Tampa, uh Boston, Montreal, and Detroit all have more games. So, like if the Suns can pull together back-to-back wins this weekend, especially a regulation win against Boston, that changes everything. Like before, Ross, when I was heading to Winnipeg, the Ottawa Centers were tied for dead last in the Eastern Conference, not just the Atlantic Division. So, if you can string together those four straight wins, you’re now right in the hunt for a playoff spot again. Well, speaking of four straight wins, that’s what the this the floor of the division has just done. The boss the Buffalo Sabres have won four in a row as well, and that’s going to be Ottawa’s opponent right before the Christmas break. So, if you’re the Senators these next two games in particular, you got to be able to produce. You know what? Forget that. You got to get a win against the Buffalo Sabres. It has been way too long. Uh and this could be the return of Josh Norris. will have plenty of time to preview that as that will be next Tuesday’s game. We know that there’s a lot of talk about the prospects for the Ottawa Senators, most namely Carter Yakimchuk. Still no update on whether he’ll be in the lineup tonight for the Belleville Senators. He left last weekend’s game with a lower body injury. We do know though that they’re getting help on the back end there. It’ll be Dennis Gilbert. And when we were talking with Dennis a couple weeks ago when he was here with Belleville, he mentioned that he and Andrew Campbell were actually D partners in the AHL during Gilbert’s rookie year. And now just a few years later, five to be exact, now they’re head coach defenseman relationship. So I’m going to be really curious to see how Belleville looks this weekend. You think they get a new coach bump? I mean, five straight games against the division. You’d hope so. >> Yeah, I hope so, Ross. They need it. And the Rochester Americans are a really good team though. But also that’s Dennis Gilbert’s old team. He was there just last season playing some games for them. So you hope that maybe he can bring a little scouting report and a nice boost to that decor that took a big hit with Yak leaving. A few notes from our good friend Bruce Gerio who wrote an article earlier this week just talking about how the senators are active on the trade market. Nothing to report in terms of done deals yet or any that are on their way. Also worth noting that the NHL holiday trade freeze goes into effect tonight at midnight. So if there’s no trades today, there will not be until after Christmas. That said, Bruce Gerio says that h the sends are looking for a top nine forward as well as another defenseman, saying that they’re led to believe that Stoos has touched base with the Canucks, the Flames, the Blues, and the Predators. Are there any names that jump out on those teams that uh would be of interest to you? >> Yeah, I mean, a couple, but I don’t understand looking for a top nine guy like it. It’s top six or nothing for me. Like I don’t understand adding a guy that can’t play either guaranteed in the top six or at the or I would rather have a guy that you can look as a top line player and move Zertherland down. So getting a guy that you’re slotting into the your third line doesn’t make sense for me because then it’s coming at the expense of probably moving Michaelio to the fourth line. So >> yeah, >> what I would say to that though is that maybe the the the way they’re wording that is just like they want the third best player on the line, right? Because if you have the pairs of stos like a Chuck, Cousins Bathson, you really you can have a quote unquote top nine guy as long as they can play with good players. >> Yeah, but I I mean I want to keep Zetland up in in that uh top six as well. So really it’s about replacing David Praw. I mean, guys I’m interested in Kefir Sherwood for sure. That’s a physical player that’s having a really nice season. Um >> but he would be a guy that I think a lot around the league would consider a top nine guy. >> Yeah, I know. But um >> dude, this Blake Coleman name, initially I turned my nose up at it because he’s got the extra year on his contract at 4.9 million, but he’s having a sneaky good year. three short-handed goals, 10 goals, 15 points plus 10. He’s got two cups, right? We know that Steve Stoss likes the leadership aspect and having guys come in that have won before. So, that is a name that I’m going to keep my eye on. >> Yeah, I mean, a guy like Marsho is interesting, too. Obviously, it’s not working in Nashville for him, but he’s only a couple years removed from Khan Smi. Uh, I think if you put him in a different scenario, he could be good. But he’s got term left on that deal and he’s on the wrong side of 30. So that makes me nervous. I I’m still standing on the don’t make a big trade uh side of this argument here. Like if anything, I’m more interested in acquiring uh defenseman at this point. Uh but with Shabbat coming back, that becomes less important. So I just I don’t think now is the time for the Ottawa Senators to make a big move. >> Maybe they do the two for one shopping deal. I I always think back, this is so random, so long ago, but remember when they got uh Corey Stillman and Mike Commodore together in a trade? It’s like that type of trade would be kind of what they’re looking for. A middle six winger as well as a a second to third pair of defenseman that can give you proper depth because it’s going to be a sprint this season with the condensed schedule. There’s going to be injuries. You have to have eight defenseman and 14 forwards basically that you’re confident in any given night that can play at the NHL level. Pillsy, I said yesterday, I could feel it in my bones that Steven Holidayiday was getting his first NHL goal. He came so damn close. It took a heroic diving effort from Sheilovs to rob him of his first. >> Yeah, a nice back check by Leang there, too. I That’s on you, Ross. If you would have had the confidence to say Levy Lockach, he puts that one in. I still don’t understand the I feel it in my bones, but I can’t guarantee it. I >> I know >> you’re going to you’re going to have to explain that one to me. >> I know. I had the race to four goals, though. That was sick last night. Thanks for the early poll, Dan Muse. I wasn’t even sure I was going to pull it down three goals. >> Yeah, with six minutes left, too. That was a weird one. >> No, I was musing about it and I enjoyed it. Thanks, Dan. Appreciate that. Uh, but we’re on to Chicago. Yes. As the Senators have now won three of their last four games. Preview of Saturday’s matinea. Next. You’re listening to locked on Senators, your team every day. Today’s episode is also brought to you by our friends over at FanDuel. NFL Sundays move fast. One big play and suddenly everything feels different. That’s what makes live betting with FanDuel so exciting. You’re not just watching the game, you’re reacting to it in real time. And it’s not just NFL Sundays that move fast. NFL Thursdays, too. Arguably the greatest Thursday night football game of all time with momentum swings going back and forth, turnovers, crazy two-point conversions, and that’s when live betting is at its best. Live spreads and money lines adjust instantly. Player props update as guys heat up. You can bet next touchdown scores, drive results, totals, and more. It keeps you locked into every snap, every drive, and every possibility. So, if you want to be right in the middle of the action this season, visit fan duel.com and place your NFL live bets all season long. All right, PZY, give me another Ottawa Senators game days. I’m starving for them. I got the boots on the ground taste and now I just want to see the boys continue to climb the standings and it’s going to be against a horrible logo on the other side. Ottawa has just not had success against the Chicago Blackhawks. It’s not as bad as Buffalo in the last what five years, but it’s probably not far off. >> Yeah, >> probably not far off. But look, it’s a new day and it’s a new opportunity against a team that is really struggling. First, let’s look at the Ottawa Senators and their lines. These are, of course, the lines from the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. We’ve got Tim Stutza at center with Brady Kachchuck and Fabian Zetterland. That was an awesome line last night. Dylan Cousins with David Pon and Drake Ba. Ridley Greg with Michael Amadio and Klo Jeru. And then Steven Halliday with Curtis McDermad and Nick Cousins on the back end. Jake Sanderson with Ardam Zub, Tyler Cleven, Jordan Spence, and then Nicholas Matten Palo and Nick Jensen. Of course, we’ve got Thomas Shabbat with all the asterisks there wondering if he gets in the lineup on Saturday or do they want to hold him off of a backto back and just wait till Sunday and have him as the seventh defenseman knowing that he could in a pinch play, which would mean they’d be okay with sending Gilbert down, but maybe just one more day wouldn’t be the worst idea the way he reagravated his injury last time. No word who starts in goal. I think we’re both in agreement that this is a good spot for Levy Marilinan to get in and play. But if they go with Allark, I’ll be cool with that, too, because Levy Marilinan is 3 and 0 in his career against the Boston Bruins. So, that is something that might come into play. We know Jacques Martine is on the coaching staff and he referenced that almost every game when he was the head coach interim there for the rest of that season saying, “Hey, why’d you pick your goalie here?” Well, he’s got good numbers against that team in the past. I always find that kind of amusing, but hey, it works at times. So either way, we’re good with the goalending. Pillsy, who’s your locked on player? Give me for the weekend. Both games. >> Okay. Uh, I will go with Clo Drew running it back. It’s a Matt May game. He scored yesterday up against his hated Pittsburgh Penguins. So, I think Clo Drew can have a nice game there. And then for Boston, I’ll go with Dylan Cousins. Uh I feel like he’s been able to quietly produce here but hasn’t uh or has been overshadowed a little bit by the play of Kachchuck and Sutza. So I want to see Dylan Cousins keep it rolling. Um question Ross, do you think it’s a possibility we see an 11 and seven lineup this weekend just because you know you’re going to try to ease Shabbat in and maybe you take Curtis McDermad out against Chicago. There’s not really a tough guy there that he matches up against. Well, with all due respect, they basically been playing 116. >> Well, that that would be even more of a reason uh to ease Shabbat in and get different minutes there. Uh as opposed to having a guy play a minute 41. >> I think if you’re a head coach though, you see number 72 available for you, there is no easing him in. He He’s going to play 20 minutes at least. >> Okay. Yeah. I I don’t think they should do 11-7. I’m not a fan of 117 and I know defensemen aren’t either because not only is it cutting down your minutes, but it’s going to throw you out of a funk. Uh, someone’s going to have to rotate partners and that’s never an ideal thing. So, I don’t think they should do that. It’s just something I thought about quickly here because a backto back and getting a guy back from injury and having a player like Curtis McDerman in your lineup, I thought maybe that’s something that could at least be considered. >> Yeah, I’m sure the coaches are considering it now. That’s not a tough travel back to back cuz you play the matinea at home and then you just go to Boston hour hour 15 flight and then you’re already settled in by evening and then you get the full day to prep for the game. So my lockdown player is going to be Tim Stutzla tomorrow because he is the draw. He is the ticket seller for this game. No Connor Bard, no problem. Tim Stutz is having a heck of a run right now. had the assist on Brady Kachchuck’s game opening goal, extending his point streak to five games. That was his first of the five games where he did not have multiple points, just the one apple for them. And he could have had a couple goals. Hits the post on a short-handed breakaway. I just felt like Tim Stutzo was all over it and that was great to see. He’s also taken six shot attempts in each of his last three games. eight the game in Columbus and five against the New Jersey Devils. You can even go back to the St. Louis game where he had seven shot attempts. So, he is shooting, shooting, shooting. That’s 38 shot attempts in his last six games. 20 of them have been on goal and four of them have gone into the back of the net. He’s also averaging two hits per game over that stand uh over that stretch. The power play, six of his 10 points have come with the man advantage. He is just all over the ice and he is truly the type of player that if he’s coming to your city, you should buy tickets to go watch Tim Stutzla shoot and pass. Okay, on the Chicago side, >> wait, wait. What about Boston? Who’s your locked on player for Boston? >> Brady Kachchuck because we know that last year he scored an OT winner there in Boston. And go to his Instagram and go to the first photo ever. That’s why we’re rooting for him against the Bruins. the Chicago Blackhawks with Frankie Nazar lining up as their top line centerman between Tyler Bertusi and Andre Burikovski. Then you’ve got Jason Dickinson with Tavo Terrainan and Elia McKayv. The third line is Ryan Green with Oliver Moore and Nick Lardis. The fourth line, Dominic Tony Nado with Colton Dak and Ryan Donado down on the fourth line. On defense, Alex Vlic with Louis Creier. You’ve got Matt Grizzlick with RTM Lev Shunov and Wyatt Kaiser with Connor Murphy. Still no confirmation. I’ll expect until told otherwise that Spencer Knight starts in goal. Arvid Soderblam is the backup. Sam Laughafery an extra. The two injuries Connor Badard and former senator Nick Felino Pilzy. This is a team where you look at them on paper, they’re young. that third line especially everybody 23 and under. Nick Lardis just played his first and second career NHL game. So there’s a lot of youth on this lineup. There’s also not a lot of depth down the middle when you take out Baddard. >> Yeah, it’s this is a very different team without Connor Baddard in the lineup. And uh last time he got a hat-tick up against the Ottawa Centers. So of course you want to see that guy playing. He’s good for the game. But I don’t mind not seeing him when he comes to Ottawa. But I’m going to be looking out for number 59, Tyler Bertusi. Uh he was on a super hot streak uh before Baddard got injured in the 17 games. Well, I guess Baddard got injured in that St. Louis game, but uh we’ll >> Yeah, we’ll we’ll count that as a game without Bard for purpose of my >> No, you can’t. You can’t. >> Uh I will be uh hurt. He was they they missed him for four seconds there. Um in the 17 games before Baddard was injured, >> 20 points >> for Tyler Bertusi, including 14 goals. Then without Baddard in that St. Louis game for that four seconds really impacted Batusi’s game. Uh no points the entire time and is a dash seven. So this especially Tyler Batusi really needs Connor Baddard there and the power play hasn’t scored since Bernard’s left and Tyler Batusi leads the Chicago Blackhawks in power play goals with eight. So he’s the straw that serves the drink for this Blackhawks team and without him like look at this lineup. Like sure you got some nice wingers in Bertusi, Burkovski, Terravinan, McKavev, but that center depth is just >> crumbles without him there. >> Well, that’s why my locked on or my lookout player rather is going to be Frank Nazar. And I just Googled Frank Lazar. Shout out Curtis Lazar. Uh Frankie Nazar is actually a phenomenal player and I’m a huge fan of his. He plays with so much speed. had a really hot start to the year though and he hit a bit of a wall which isn’t to be unexpected. He’s 21 years old, but he did score the lone goal against the Montreal Canadians last night. That was his first point in seven games seven in his last seven. Uh he started the season with five points in his first three games, four uh six points in his first five. So he’s he’s a guy where I think the NHL schedule’s catching up with him a little bit. last season played 53 games, missed a bunch with injury as well, but now you’re looking at a guy who I I still think has a lot more to give. Now, it’s a pretty unfair situation that he finds himself in being the topline center with not a whole lot of help around him, but he’s a heck of a player. So, if you’re a Sens fan going to the game, look out for number 91 on the Hawks. Very, very highskilled player. I believe the 13th overall pick in the 2022 draft. Pillsey, let’s take a look at how these teams match up head-to-head. The Ottawa Senators are 32 and 0 in their last five games. The Hawks only with one win, a shutout victory over the New York Rangers. They’ve lost four of their last five. The Senators, they score more than the Hawks by quite a margin. The Hawks though, they do have better goals against average. And shout out to Spencer Knight for that. He’s one of the league leaders in goals saved above expected. He’s been providing elite goalending for them. Shooting percentage almost identical. Team save percentage, of course, the Hawks have the edge there as we just mentioned. They’re getting great goalending. Senators power play is unreal compared to the Hawks. Over almost 6% better, almost 5% better rather. And then the PK, big credit to the Hawks, man. 84.2% is incredibly impressive for them. Ottawa with a huge edge in the faceoff battle and they dominate the numbers at five on five compared to the Chicago Blackhawks. So for me, big key to victory is is play this game five on five. I know the power plays been good, but I think that kind of X’s itself out with how good the Hawks penalty kills been. Just play this game five on five. Be disciplined. Don’t give the Hawks any opportunity to go up in this game. Try to get the first one as well. I know that’s kind of a easy thing to say, but if you can play with the lead against a team that’s already without confidence and without their leader, there’s going to be a house of cards effect. And I think you can pull out one of those bottom cards early in this game and allow them all to crumble down. So, that’s kind of where I’m at with this game. It should be a business-like win for the Ottawa Senators. Take care of business at home, get the points, and move on to Boston, the more important game here. like there’s there’s really no excuse for the Senators not to win this game. Um Spencer Knight, he scares me. He’s been insanely hot and if he just shuts the door, we’ve seen like Joel Hoffer an example when a goalie is just hot, the sends can’t get through and a 2-1 loss, uh these kinds of games can happen. We saw the same with Walstead, like where you’re clearly the better team, but you can’t get the win. can’t have that this time because this Hawks lineup is just not good enough to be able to beat you when these are such important points. >> And I think that Spencer Knight um it took it personally his first appearance against the Ottawa Senators where there’s a a photo of him just laying outside the crease flat on his stomach. I think Ottawa won that game 7-1 or something and then I don’t think they’d beaten the the Panthers until the home opener that we went to last season. Since then, it really felt like a turning point for that. But I’m sure that’s still in the back of Spencer Knight’s mind where it’s like I owe them a couple really good performances uh to go head-to-head. In Spencer Knight’s career against the Ottawa Senators, of course, that game would affect the numbers there. Guess what though? It’s his only loss against Ottawa. He’s 4-1 and 0, but an 888 save percentage thanks to the first game that he played. So, he’s won four straight against the Senators. Will be interesting to see how Ottawa can respond. Uh quick preview for the Boston game. Pily, this a Bruins team that’s going to be playing at home against the Vancouver Conucks on Saturday. So, they’re in the middle of a uh wow, big one, fivegame home stand. Ottawa will be the fourth of the five games. They’re currently one- heading into the weekend. They beat the Utah Mammoth 4-1 and then fell last night to the Edmonton Oilers. So, they’ve lost two of their last three games. They fell to the Minnesota Wild in Quinn Hughes’s debut with that team, but they had won four games in a row before that. That’s a really kind of interesting note about the Boston Bruins season is they started out with three wins, then they lost six in a row. >> Yeah. Then they won I think it was seven of eight, eight of nine. And then from then on they literally went lost, win, loss, loss, win, loss, win, loss, win, loss, and then the big winning streak. And now they’re starting to be in that that turn downward. So hopefully Ottawa can continue rolling it down and we’re going to be rooting hard on Saturday night for the Vancouver Canucks to get two big points in regulation against the Bruins as well. So, I’m I’m just looking at this this Boston game. Not to get ahead of ourselves, but uh we want the postcast to be nice and focused on Saturday’s game. So, I I am kind of keeping an eye on this Boston game because it could be huge when you talk about the games in hand that Ottawa already has to be able to win the head-to-head matchups. Ottawa is uh one or no, they’re two 0 and one against the say the Bruins this year. They’ve already played three times. Eh, >> three. Wow. >> Yeah, they’ve already played three games. This will be the fourth and final meeting between the Sen and Bruins. So, >> you don’t want it to be 500, right? Because if the Bruins win, they’re two and two against Ottawa. You got to make it so that you win this game. It’s It’s obviously the more important game and why we would put Lenus Almark in for this one. All right, Pelysey, any final thoughts on today’s show? >> Final thoughts for me is uh let’s let’s keep it rolling here. We said once the sends beat Winnipeg with us there, the slump busters, it felt like the sends are going to get hot cuz they had been playing good and just not getting the wins. They find a way to get that win in overtime. Then they get the shutout win. So, let’s take care of business up against Chicago, regulation win up against Boston, then slay the Demons, that is the Buffalo Sabres up against the Ottawa Centers, and go into that Christmas break with a fivegame heater up against the Leafs coming out of it. Like, this could really be a TSN turning point for the Ottawa Senators if things go their way. Hey, it’s a long season and we have to remind ourselves of that as well because we’re guilty of falling into the trap of you lose four of five, five of six and the sky is falling. But >> I held the line though. Everyone was sick of hearing me say not worried. Let’s let’s not panic. I held the line and I think that’s going to pay off here. >> You did have the the panic button out. I saw it on screen. >> I mean, it sits on my desk. It’s always there, Ross. I’m looking at it right now because I need I can’t be scared of it. Like I can’t >> But you were holding it. >> Well, I mean I can I can reach and grab it. I It’s still It’s still turned off. The batteries haven’t been running at all. Um but I don’t want to be scared of it. I want it to be there to keep me hungry. >> Okay. Well, stay hungry SS fans. You’re eating Chicago Blackhawk and Boston Brun this weekend. And we will have the postcast for you after each of those games. Got a great Christmas week planned for you as well on locked on Senator. So stay tuned for that. And if you want more, make sure to join the Everyday Dare Club all access and get in to the action. The link to join is in the description below. Pily, final thoughts on today’s show. >> I already gave my final thoughts. I want >> I want another one. >> Another one. Okay, let’s get Belleville heating up here. New coach bump for Andrew Campbell. I talked about slaying the Sabres beast. Well, the Rochester Americans are just as much of a tough opponent for the Belleville Senators and they need some positivity here because it’s been tough times and when you lose a guy like David Bell, he he’s a guy that I think a lot of the players there respected and he’s been around a long time. So, obviously you’re happy for Campbell, but it’s it’s not easy when you lose a coach like Bley. >> It’s a strange time and I’m glad that you did that. Every Friday your final thoughts are about Belleville Pills. I was just trying to walk you into that. I was just trying to walk you into that cuz the sends if they’re doing well. So, we got to keep our our same rotation going. I will say I am glad that this is a road game for Belleville. Start with the new coach on the road. No distractions. Just get on the bus, get to Rochester, and go get two points down there for Andrew Campbell. All right, we’ll see you in the postcast tomorrow just after a 3:00 start for the Senators for Brandon Pillar. I’m Ross Levitan. Thank you for liking, watching, listening, and engaging with the show. This has been another edition of the Locked On Senators podcast. Your team every day.

Now that’s how you come home from a road trip!
Brandon Piller and Ross Levitan recap the 4-0 shutout win against the Pittsburgh Penguins. It was the first shutout of the season for Linus Ullmark and the Sens. Can they keep this momentum going into a busy weekend? We preview the matinee matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks and Sundays game against the Atlantic division rivals, Boston Bruins!

00:00 – Senators Shut Out Penguins, Weekend Preview
10:50 – Trade Rumors and Roster Updates
20:20 – Belleville Senators Coaching Changes
27:15 – Blackhawks Preview & Keys to Victory
36:10 – Bruins Game Preview & Final Thoughts

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