It’s the Ottawa Senators’ turn to host the Anaheim Ducks, as both teams meet tonight at the Canadian Tire Centre. It is the second and final game between the both of them, as the Senators will look to avenge a lopsided 5-1 loss to the Ducks that happened on Dec. 11. That game was the final straw for head coach Guy Boucher, as two days later in practice he had his infamous scolding of his players. Since then, the Senators are 3-0-1 as they look to another win tonight.
Anaheim Ducks at Ottawa Senators
Canadian Tire Centre – 7:30 p.m. EST
Broadcast Channels – TSN5 & PRIME
2016-17 Season Series: Anaheim beat Ottawa 5-1 on Dec. 11
Ottawa Senators – 19-11-3 – 41 Points – 2nd in the Atlantic Division
Home Record: 10-5-3
Hot Players: Bobby Ryan, Derick Brassard, Mark Stone, Zack Smith, Dion Phaneuf
Key Absences: Andrew Hammond (ankle), Clarke MacArthur (concussion), Craig Anderson (personal leave)
Projected Lineup:
Forwards
Zack Smith – Derick Brassard – Mark Stone
Ryan Dzingel – Kyle Turris – Bobby Ryan
Mike Hoffman – Jean-Gabriel Pageau – Curtis Lazar
Tom Pyatt – Chris Kelly – Chris Neil
Defence
Marc Methot – Erik Karlsson
Dion Phaneuf – Cody Ceci
Mark Borowiecki – Chris Wideman
Starting Goaltender
Mike Condon
Anaheim Ducks – 17-12-5 – 39 Points – 3rd in the Pacific Division
Road Record: 7-8-4
Hot Players: Ryan Getzlaf, Rickard Rakell, Cam Fowler
Key Absences: Clayton Stoner (lower body), Simon Despres (concussion-like symptoms), Nate Thompson (achilles)
Projected Lineup:
Forwards
Rickard Rakell – Ryan Getzlaf – Corey Perry
Andrew Cogliano – Ryan Kesler – Jakob Silfverberg
Nick Ritchie – Antoine Vermette – Ondrej Kase
Joseph Cramarossa – Logan Shaw – Jared Boll
Defence
Cam Fowler – Sami Vatanen
Hampus Lindholm – Josh Manson
Korbinian Holzer – Kevin Bieksa
Starting Goaltender
John Gibson
Game Notes
[miptheme_dropcap style=”normal” color=”#222222″ background=””]1)[/miptheme_dropcap] Bobby Ryan has received all the fortunate bounces lately, as he has scored a goal in four straight games, with half of those goals coming from a bounce off his body. Through those four goals, he has a shooting percentage of 40%, putting himself in front of the net and clear shooting lanes. His possession numbers have been less than average, as his Corsi rating sits at 48.21% over his last four games. His recent success has come as a result of driving the net, getting deflections and finding clear shooting lanes. If he can continue to do that, the results will keep coming.
[miptheme_dropcap style=”normal” color=”#222222″ background=””]2)[/miptheme_dropcap] The Ducks are coming off a very tough back-to-back situation where they allowed 40 shots against the Toronto Maple Leafs and were only able to muster 13 shots against the Montréal Canadiens. With a day’s rest yesterday and their last loss on their mind, the Ducks are likely to come out in full force tonight, something the Senators will need to be ready for.
[miptheme_dropcap style=”normal” color=”#222222″ background=””]3)[/miptheme_dropcap] Anaheim is bringing the league’s best power-play on the road into this game, scoring at a 31.3% success rate. Oppositely, Ottawa has the second-worst home power-play percentage, only successful 11.9% of the time. Furthermore, the last time these two teams faced each other, the Ducks scored three times on the power play. If special teams will make the difference in tonight’s game, Anaheim has the advantage.
[miptheme_dropcap style=”normal” color=”#222222″ background=””]4)[/miptheme_dropcap] Anaheim’s Rickard Rakell has been the team’s great surprise so far this season. After he signed an extension of six years, he has been the team’s offensive catalyst, with 14 goals in 23 games. He will be playing alongside Getzlaf and Perry tonight, making the top line threat even greater.
[miptheme_dropcap style=”normal” color=”#222222″ background=””]5)[/miptheme_dropcap] The Senators will be trying to take advantage of a Ducks team that has allowed 22 goals in its past five games, most in the league during that span. Their defence and goaltending are vulnerable, something the Senators will look to exploit.
The Senators will be looking to extend their winning streak to four games going into the Christmas break. They have been proud of the way they have been playing of late after hearing it from their coach, and have a great chance at making the playoffs.