Game 16 Preview + Open Thread: Senators @ Jets

The Sens are back in action for a matinee affair with the Winnipeg Jets. In their first match-up on Thursday, Ottawa carried the play for much of the first period but were unable to get one past Connor Hellebuyck. The second and third periods didn’t go so well, unfortunately, and, to add insult to injury, Matt Murray was forced to leave the game and will not be available for today’s match-up. This means Marcus Högberg will be in net, with Filip Gustavsson suiting up as the back-up.

Here’s how DJ Smith arranged the Sens for practice yesterday:

Puck drop for this one is 3 pm eastern, with the game being carried live on CBC and NHL Network. You can also listen along on TSN1200, as well.

Game Notes:

• It’s been said in other places, but I just want to re-iterate that the Colin White - Nick Paul - Evgeni Dadonov line has been really good, even if they aren’t potting a tonne of goals
• Artem Zub returns to the line-up after missing Thursday’s affair when he had an “inconclusive” COVID-19 test. Can he continue his run of good play?
• Through their four matchups to date, there have been times when Ottawa has carried the play against Winnipeg. The biggest difference between the two teams has been Hellebuyck’s excellent play, and the ability of the Jets’ skilled forward to bury their chances. Unfortunately, at this point in the rebuild the Sens just don’t have anybody of Wheeler, Scheifele, or Ehlers’ ability to finish.
• It’s been the topic of a lot of conversation already, but this does feel like something of a tipping point for Högberg. A good performance here probably keeps him in the NHL, but another disastrous outing could spell the end of his time in Ottawa with the AHL up and running again.

As always, here are some stats courtesy of NHL.com and Natural Stat Trick. Note that the CF% and xGF% measures are Score and Venue Adjusted.