Get ready for an emotional rollercoaster as we dive into the highly anticipated clash between the Ottawa Senators and the Pittsburgh Penguins! This game, known as Game 33 Hub, brings together four iconic captains, each with their own unique story. It's a battle of the 'C's, with Daniel Alfredsson and Brady Tkachuk representing the Senators, and Jason Spezza and Erik Karlsson leading the Penguins. For those who remember the events of 2017, this game is sure to stir up some strong feelings.
But first, let's meet the visitors.
The Penguins, accompanied by their dads for the Dad's Trip, arrive in Ottawa with a mixed bag of results. After an impressive start that had everyone talking, they've hit a bit of a rough patch in the absence of Evgeni Malkin. With a record of 3-3-4 in their last ten games, they're seeking to regain their momentum.
One of their recent moves involved a trade with Edmonton, swapping Jarry for Skinner. However, Skinner's debut for the Penguins didn't go as planned, as he faced his former team and lost, adding insult to injury. Fortunately for him, he won't be facing the Senators tonight. Instead, Artūrs Šilovs, who has never started against Ottawa, will be between the pipes. Šilovs' stats this season, with a 3.20 GAA and .893 SV%, might just give the Senators' offense a boost of confidence.
Now, let's talk about the home team and their recent triumphs.
The Senators are riding high after an overtime victory against the Jets on Monday. Another win tonight would be a huge morale booster, proving to everyone that they're ready to break free from their recent slump. And they've got the stats to back it up - the Sens have dominated this matchup recently, with a record of 7-2-1 in their last ten games against Pittsburgh. Claude Giroux, in particular, has been on a personal mission against his former division rivals, racking up 13 points in his last ten games against the Pens. Linus Ullmark, tonight's starter, has an impeccable record against Pittsburgh, with a 6-0-0 record, a 2.71 GAA, and a .921 save percentage. Let's hope he continues his winning streak!
Tonight also marks a special occasion for Tim Stützle, as he plays his 400th career game. It's an even more significant milestone considering he's facing the team that made it all possible through a trade. At just 399 games, Timmy is already 10th in franchise scoring - a remarkable achievement. Let's hope he celebrates with a multi-point night and continues his ascent up the rankings.
Brady Tkachuk, on the other hand, is on the cusp of a different kind of milestone. He's on a record-breaking streak, having been the victim of a high stick in five consecutive games. While it's not the kind of record anyone wants, it just goes to show that anything can happen in the NHL.
Now, onto the injury report. There's good news and bad news. Thomas Chabot is back practicing with the team, but won't play tonight. His return seems imminent, which is a huge relief. Shane Pinto skated yesterday but remains out, while Lars Eller is expected to be sidelined for at least three more weeks with a broken foot.
You can catch all the action on RDS2/TSN5, or tune in to TSN 1200/104.7 Outaouais at 7:00 PM E.T.
Here are the projected lines for both teams:
Ottawa Senators:
- Brady Tkachuk - Tim Stützle - Fabian Zetterlund
- David Perron - Dylan Cozens - Drake Batherson
- Micheal Amadio - Ridly Greig - Claude Giroux
- Kurtis MacDermid - Stephen Halliday - Nick Cousins
Defense:
- Jake Sanderson - Artem Zub
- Tyler Kleven - Jordan Spence
- Nikolas Matinpalo - Nick Jensen
Goaltender: Linus Ullmark
Injured: Thomas Chabot (upper body), Shane Pinto (lower body), Lars Eller (foot)
Scratched: Olle Lycksell, Dennis Gilbert
Pittsburgh Penguins:
- Rickard Rakell - Sidney Crosby - Bryan Rust
- Anthony Mantha - Tommy Novak - Justin Brazeau
- Rutger McGroarty - Ben Kindel - Kevin Hayes
- Connor Dewar - Danton Heinen - Noel Acciari
Defense:
- Parker Wotherspoon - Erik Karlsson
- Ryan Shea - Kris Letang
- Brett Kulak - Jack St. Ivany
Goaltender: Artūrs Šilovs
Injured: Evgeni Malkin (upper body), Blake Lizotte (upper body), Filip Hallander (lower body)
Scratched: Ryan Graves, Connor Clifton, Ville Koivunen
This game promises to be an intense and emotional affair, with plenty of storylines to keep an eye on. Who will emerge victorious? Will the Senators continue their dominance, or will the Penguins find their fountain of youth once more? And most importantly, will Brady Tkachuk's high-stick streak come to an end? Tune in to find out, and don't forget to share your thoughts and predictions in the comments!
