Depending on how you choose to view the results over the last four games, it truly is in the eye of the beholder. You could argue that the Senators squandered points in their last two outings and could be riding a four-game winning streak, much like their opponent tonight. Or, you could take the more forgiving approach and say they collected six points out of a possible eight.
I tend to take the former view.
Losing leads in both games against divisional rivals and failing to close out tight contests has cost this team valuable points and missed opportunities in crucial four-point games. Those last two matchups came against the very teams the Senators are chasing in the standings. Had Ottawa closed out those games, they would be sitting four points out of a wild-card spot rather than six. With only a limited number of games against divisional opponents, each one carries extra weight. For a team in pursuit like the Senators, these games are the equivalent of the Golden Snitch in Harry Potter—you have to catch it to advance victorious. Simply put, they didn’t do enough to secure those wins.
Coming into tonight, none of Ottawa’s goaltending options are posting a .900 save percentage, a benchmark that typically goes a long way toward winning games consistently. James Reimer, however, looked ordinary in his last start—and at this moment, ordinary might be the new “great” in the nation’s capital crease. The Senators may turn to Reimer again tonight, hoping he can build off that performance, improve on his showing against Detroit, and earn his first win as a Senator.
Following Jake Sanderson’s post-game comments regarding Leevi Meriläinen—suggesting the team needs more than ten saves to win a game—it appears confidence in the young goaltender has taken a hit. It’s unfortunate to see a developing goalie struggle to the degree Meriläinen has, and even more so to see those struggles publicly highlighted by a respected teammate. Meriläinen has since been sent down to Belleville, with the Senators recalling Sheppard. To his credit, Sanderson has publicly apologized for his remarks following Saturday night’s game, and one can assume he would prefer to have delivered a more supportive message, similar to the tone set by captain Brady Tkachuk.
As for tonight’s matchup, Ottawa will once again lean heavily on its core. Brady Tkachuk continues to drive play with his physical presence and net-front work, while Tim Stützle remains the team’s most dynamic offensive threat, capable of creating chances off the rush and on the power play. Claude Giroux’s experience and two-way reliability will be critical in another high-stakes game, particularly against a conference rival fighting for the same postseason real estate. On the back end, Sanderson and Thomas Chabot will be counted on for heavy minutes as Ottawa looks to tighten up defensively and protect leads more effectively.
The Senators desperately need a decisive effort tonight—ideally securing a regulation win in yet another four-point game against a direct conference rival competing for the final two coveted wild-card spots.
Tonight’s game can be seen on TSN5 and RDS2, with puck drop set for 7:00 p.m.
