Game 29 Hub: Ottawa Senators vs Pittsburgh Penguins

Maybe we should've seen this run of poor play coming. The Ottawa Senators couldn't hack it against the Buffalo Sabres, Columbus Blue Jackets, and New York Islanders, so it follows that they'd lose six in a row against even better hockey teams.

But, did they have to instill a sense of false hope by securing two-goal leads in four of those games? The suffering of Sens fandom is unending.

Now back at the CTC, which has not exactly been granting a home-ice advantage lately, they look to avoid a seventh straight loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Here's how Jacques Martin (doesn't that still feel strange to say?) is expected to line them up:

Game Notes:

• Brady Tkachuk encapsulates the 2024 Ottawa Senators better than anybody else. Fantastic at finishing on 5-on-5 chances, and yet a -5 rating overall. He, like most of the team, seemingly has lost some of his edge in recent weeks. Opponents are getting into his head more often than the opposite which is concerning. Ridly Greig and Angus Crookshank play that in-your-face style (mostly) very effectively, can they continue to pick up the slack?
• One incentive for fans to attend a Senators game tonight? Erik Karlsson! The most talented Senator ever until proven otherwise, Karlsson has 22 points in 31 games with a +9 rating this season.
• Let's see, what else can I add here...the power-play has been bad, the penalty kill makes the power-play look good, and the goaltending...is apparently not an issue at all. Look, things are a bit grim.
• Fans of Erik Karlsson, or masochism, or maybe still holding out hope, should tune in to City TV, Sportsnet 360, or TSN 1200 at 7:00 pm EST.

Stats: