5 TIPS FOR SENATORS
With the Ottawa Senators top centre Matt Duchene sidelined, Colin White has been thrust into the first-line role beside Brady Tkachuk and Mark Stone.
Of all the players who’ve made progress this season, White is having a breakthrough year. He’s got a goal and three points in the club’s last three games. Ottawa takes a 13-14-4 mark into Nashville on Tuesday. The Predators are at 19-10-1. Shutting down Nashville’s Ryan Johansen in this one is going to be pivotal for White and the Senators. Ex-Senator Kyle Turris practised with the Preds for the first time Monday since going on injured reserve on Nov. 25. It’s unclear if he’ll play against Ottawa. According to The Tennessean, four Predators (Viktor Arvidsson, Filip Forsberg, P.K. Subban and Turris) have already missed a combined 40 games while nursing various injuries this season, with Arvidsson missing the most (17). Subban has missed the last 12, while Turris has been out for seven.
The Predators have dropped two straight games and are now tied atop the Central Division with Colorado, one point ahead of the Winnipeg Jets (who have a game in hand).
Here are five things to watch for on Tuesday in Smashville:
1
Win on the Road:
This is broken-record territory for the Senators, but it’s something they haven’t been able to do with any sort of consistency. The club has a 3-9-1 record on the road this season and will open a three-game road trip here. A victory against one of the NHL’s best teams would be a nice start. Nashville owns an 11-5 mark at Bridgestone Arena.
2
Step Into Roles:
Chris Tierney had the most ice time among forwards Sunday night against Boston and played in every situation. He’s a reliable veteran and that’s why coach Guy Boucher is giving him the chance to play a bigger role. With two assists in nine games, Tierney will be relied upon to lend some offensive support.
3
Score on the Power Play:
The Senators went 0-for-3 with the man advantage against the Bruins in Sunday’s 2-1 loss in overtime and that turned out to be costly. The club had a 5-on-3 late in the first and to start the second, but couldn’t capitalize. The Senators’ power play has been a key to the success they’ve had this year.
4
Overcome the Odds:
The Senators will have six regulars — Matt Duchene, Bobby Ryan, Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Mark Borowiecki, Dylan DeMelo and Christian Jaros — out of the lineup against the Predators. This is going to be a difficult test with several players being used in different roles until the club gets healthy again.
5
Be Smart Defensively:
The Senators gave up only three goals in a 2-1 overtime victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins Saturday and a 2-1 OT loss to the Bruins Sunday. Yes, they relied on goalies Craig Anderson and Mike McKenna to make the saves, but the club did a better job in its own zone. That has to continue.