PREDATORS 4, SENATORS 1
The Ottawa Senators may have lost more than two points on Thanksgiving Day.
Not only did they drop a 4-1 decision to the Nashville Predators in front of a sellout of 18,500 at the Canadian Tire Centre on Monday afternoon, the club also finished the game without captain Brady Tkachuk.,
Coach Travis Green told reporters that Tkachuk, who didn’t take a shift in the final 10 minutes, was injured on a cross-check from Roman Josi early in the first. He tried to play through it, but couldn’t continue.
“I don’t really have an update,” Green said. “He’s being re-evaluated right now. No, it wasn’t precautionary.”
The Senators deserved a better fate, but only Ridly Greig beat Juuse Saros on the 32 shots he faced.
Greig pulled the Senators to within a goal with 2:03 left in the game, but that was as close as it got as Ottawa allowed two empty-net goals.
The Senators weren’t able to capitalize on four opportunities with the man advantage and missed some glorious chances.
Linus Ullmark was solid for the Senators, and the final result wasn’t without some controversy.
Brady Tkachuk of the Ottawa Senators hits Spencer Stastney from the Nashville Predators during first-period action at the Canadian Tire Centre on Monday.
CAUSE FOR CONCERN?
Tkachuk wasn’t the least bit pleased with Josi, who slammed the Senators captain into the boards from behind early in the first.
There was some concern when Tkachuk left the game briefly, taking off his glove and shaking his hand. He missed a couple of shifts before reappearing, which had everybody breathing a sigh of relief.
But Tkachuk finished the game watching from the bench.
“Brady is a big piece of our team,” said alternate captain Thomas Chabot. “You don’t want to see anybody get hurt. We need everybody if we’re going to achieve what we want here. We’re going to need every guy. But hopefully, he’s good to go in Buffalo.”
The last time we saw the Senators at home, they were leaving the ice to a standing ovation after a loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Battle of Ontario in the first round of the playoffs.
After starting the season with a 5-4 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday and dropping a 6-2 decision to the two-time Stanley Cup-champion Florida Panthers on Saturday, the Senators were thrilled to get home.
The Senators came into this game with victories in five straight home openers and had outscored their opponents 23-13.
An Ottawa Senators traffic jam with the Nashville Predators during first-period action at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa Monday.
Ridly Greig of the Ottawa Senators tries to tip the puck past Nashville Predators goalie Juuse Saros during first-period action at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa Monday.
DISALLOWED GOAL
Fans were patient waiting for someone to break this scoreless tie.
Just when it looked like Ottawa’s Jake Sanderson had opened the scoring with 13:55 left in the second period by firing a blast by Saros, the replay officials took it away.
While Sanderson beat Saros upstairs from the left circle, the Predators challenged for goalie interference.
Replays showed centre Tim Stutzle making contact with Saros’ skate.
“Stutzle entered the crease on his own, made contact with the pad of goaltender Juuse Saros and impaired his ability to play his position before Jake Sanderson’s goal,” the NHL said in its decision.
Former NHL defenceman Carlo Colaiacovo, a TSN analyst, called that explanation “ridiculous.”
During the first television timeout after the call, coach Travis Green had an animated discussion with the officials. It was a tough call, and the decision on the ice was overturned.
“I think it’s better if I don’t really comment on it,” Green said. “It was a strange night for sure. I was really shocked that goal didn’t count, to be honest with you, but sometimes that happens.”
That, of course, set up the opening goal by Nashville’s Jonathan Marchessault at 12:11 of the second. After a turnover by the Senators in their own zone, Marchessault was alone in front and put it home.
“It was a little frustrating,” said Sanderson. “I thought we played a good enough game to win, but that happens sometimes.”
Ryan O’Reilly extended the lead to 2-0 for the Predators at 14:38 of the third.
Claude Giroux from the Ottawa Senators trying to score on Nashville Predators goalie Juuse Saros during second period action at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa Monday. Monday was the Ottawa Senators home opener.
SHUFFLING THE DECK
Green opted to make changes after the loss in Florida.
Defenceman Tyler Kleven, who suffered an ankle injury on Sept. 21 against the Leafs, made his return, along with Jordan Spence.
They went in for the pairing of Donovan Sebrango and Nikolas Matinpalo.
Kleven made his presence felt with a big hit on Tyson Jost.
Fans wanted to see Spence after he was scratched for the club’s first two games. The Senators made a big deal of his acquisition when they brought him in from the L.A. Kings in June, and he has good skills.
Spence is a strong puck-mover and showed flashes of brilliance. He hit the post in the second.
Winger Olle Lycksell, who had a strong pre-season, also made his debut, while Kurtis MacDermid was a scratch.
Linus Ullmark of the Ottawa Senators makes a save against Roman Josi of the Nashville Predators during second-period action at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa Monday.
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