Game 39 Preview and Open Thread: Edmonton Oilers @ Ottawa Senators

It’s the two best forwards in the NHL versus Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl

After getting goalied again on Saturday, the Senators will hope to continue their recent trend of actually outshooting their opponents and maybe, just maybe, they’ll find a way to score some goals, with so many of their top forwards on the injured reserve. Josh Norris remains sidelined on a precautionary basis after a scary-looking shoulder injury last week so we’ll have another rookie-heavy lineup, against the Oilers.

Ottawa practiced with these lines yesterday (Cole Reinhardt held Brady Tkachuk’s place but the latter should play today after taking a maintenance day on Sunday):

The Oilers, meanwhile, rolled these lines and pairings in their last game (a win over Montreal):

Kane - McDavid - Yamamoto
Foegele - Draisaitl - Puljujarvi
Hyman - Nugent-Hopkins - Kassian
Shore - Ryan - McLeod

Nurse - Bouchard
Keith - Ceci
Lagesson - Russell

Game Notes:

  • Erik Brännström has cleared COVID protocol and will replace Victor Mete on defence.
  • As always, Ottawa needs to avoid the Oilers’ powerplay at all costs. Even with all of their injuries, the Sens can likely hang with Edmonton at five-on-five (especially at home) but Edmonton has a distinct advantage on special teams. And who knows what to expect from these goaltenders anymore.
  • On that note, Matt Murray likely starts for Ottawa while Edmonton could stick with Stuart Skinner who won his last game (Saturday).
  • In terms of hometown connections, Cody Ceci likely pays a visit to Ottawa tonight while former Senator Kyle Turris remains on Edmonton’s taxi squad. Slater Koekkoek, from Winchester, probably stays a healthy scratch. Tyler Ennis, currently on fire, faces off against his former/hometown team.
  • Go Sens Go./

Where to watch: RDS, SN, TSN1200 @ 7:30PMEST

Stats

Players

Game 39OttawaSenatorsEdmontonOilers
CategoryPlayer#Player#
GoalsJosh Norris18Leon Draisaitl31
AssistsDrake Batherson21Connor McDavid37
PointsDrake Batherson34Leon Draisaitl61
ShotsBrady Tkachuk125Connor McDavid149
TOIThomas Chabot27:08Darnell Nurse26:29

Teams

Game 39OttawaSenatorsEdmontonOilers
CategoryRank#Rank#
Goals22nd2.7410th3.26
Goals against26th3.3722nd3.26
Shots17th30.4010th32.92
Shots against27th33.0424th32.10
Powerplay22nd18.0%2nd28.6%
Penalty Kill15th80.7%20th77.3%
Corsi (5V5SVA)24th46.6%12th51.8%
xGoals (5V5SVA)23rd47.1%14th50.9%

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