This has not been the season that the Ottawa Senators were hoping for. After finally qualifying for the Stanley Cup Playoffs last year, the Senators seem primed to miss out once again this season. They come into this game with a 4-1 win over the New Jersey Devils on Saturday night. Like the Penguins, Ottawa plays this game as the first half of a back-to-back. Although they are 6-2-2 in their last 10, the Senators are 26-21-7 this season. This record places them tied for third worst in the Eastern Conference, sitting eight points out of a Wild Card spot. 

Even with all the struggles Ottawa has faced this season, their star centre Tim Stutzle has managed to put together another spectacular season for the Senators. The former third overall pick has scored 25 goals and 57 points through 54 games this season. The issue has been a lack of depth scoring, however. After Stutzle’s 57 points, Drake Batherson is next on the scoring list with just 46 points. American Olympian defenceman Jake Sanderson, however, has done his part in pitching in from the blueline. He’s scored 10 goals and 44 points through 54 games this season. Watch for Dylan Cozens in this game. He’s scored 18 goals and 41 points, as he looks to establish himself as a top-six forward in Ottawa. 

With the return of Linus Ullmark on Saturday night, expect James Reimer to start this game, while Ullmark likely plays the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday. Reimer has gone 2-2-1 this season with an .874 save percentage.Â