Philadelphia (19-11-5) at Ottawa (15-18-3)
Saturday, 7 p.m., Sportsnet One, TVA2, TSN 1200 AM, Unique 94.5 FM
SPECIAL TEAMS
OTT: PP 11.4% (31st); PK 82.1% (12th)
PHI: PP 19.6% (16th); PK 82.6% (11th)
THE BIG MATCHUP
Brady Tkachuk vs. Claude Giroux
The last time these two teams met on Dec. 7 in Philly there was no shortage of bad blood. So upset was Tkachuk with Scott Laughton talking to the bench after scoring, the Senators’ winger got into it in the final minute of thee game and as result, Tkachuk was fined $2,400 for cross-checking Laughton. This time, the focus will be on shutting down the Flyers and stopping Claude Giroux is key.
FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Keep winning at home
With their 5-4 overtime victory over the Nashville Predators Thursday, the Senators have moved their record to 10-5-0 at the Canadian Tire Centre. The club will play twice at home heading into the Christmas break and has a chance to get some confidence with a couple of wins. For the most, the Senators were solid against Nashville.
2. Keep the power play going
The Senators had two power play goals — including the winner from Anthony Duclair — against the Predators and that’s a huge step in the right direction. The Senators have struggled with the man advantage this year and need to show consistency. Another big night on the power play would certainly help matters.
3. Consistency from Colin White
Lost in the dramatic win was the fact White scored his third of the season by going upstairs on Juuse Saros in the second to end an 18-game slump. White has the abilities to be a consistent scorer in the NHL and we’ve seen it before. He’s put a lot of pressure on himself this year to score so maybe this is a step in the right direction.
4. Yes, Thomas Chabot plays a lot
Coming off a 37:50 performance against the Lightning, Chabot had 33:49 against the Predators. That’s the way it’s going to be for awhile, especially with the injuries on the blueline. The 22-year-old wouldn’t be getting the ice time if he couldn’t handle it so it might be time to find something else to talk about. He’s a key contributor. That’s why he plays so much.
5. Next up in net
Craig Anderson is ready to return from a knee injury so the expectation is he’ll likely make the start and that should be the case. Yes, Marcus Hogberg was good against the Predators, but he got his first win and the club needs to lean on its top goalie. Anderson may play both of these games before the break.
SENS GAMEDAY LINES
Brady Tkachuk-Jean-Gabriel Pageau-Connor Brown
Nick Paul-Chris Tierney-Anthony Duclair
Vladislav Namestnikov-Artem Anisimov-Tyler Ennis
Logan Brown-J.C. Beaudin-Colin White
DEFENCE
Thomas Chabot-Erik Brannstrom
Mark Borowiecki-TBD
Andreas Englund-Cody Goloubef
Goaltenders
Marcus Hogberg
Anders Nilsson
FLYERS GAMEDAY LINES
Claude Giroux-Sean Couturier-Travis Konecny
James van Riemsdyk-Kevin Hayes-Nicolas Aube-Kubel
David Kase-Morgan Frost- Jakub Voracek
Andy Andreof-Mikhail Vorobyev-Tyler Pitlick
DEFENCE
Ivan Provorov-Matt Niskanen
Travis Sanheim-Justin Braun
Robert Hagg-Shayne Gostisbehere
GOALTENDERS
Carter Hart
Brian Elliott
INJURIES
OTT: Craig Anderson, Scott Sabourin Ron Hainsey, Dylan DeMelo, Christian Wolanin, Nikita Zaitsev
PHI: Nolan Patrick, Michael Raffl, Scott Laughton, Oskar Lindblom
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