Nashville Predators at Ottawa Senators
Thursday, 7:30 p.m., Canadian Tire Centre
TV: TSN5, Radio: TSN 1200-AM, 94,5, Unique FM
The Big Matchup
Matt Duchene versus Kyle Turris
Turris started out red hot after the blockbuster three-way deal which sent him to Nashville from Ottawa, scoring five goals and 13 assists in his first 17 games. Since then, he has two goals and three assists in 19 games. Duchene, meanwhile, netted only three goals and three assists in his first 24 games with Ottawa. In his past 14 games, he has six goals and eight assists. Since the trade, the Senators have delivered a 12-22-4 record. The Predators have gone 24-7-5.
Five Keys To The Game
Keeping composure
The Senators allowed an early goal Tuesday against New Jersey, but rallied by taking advantage of power play opportunities later in the period. At other points in the year, they would have folded by being down early.
Keeping chemistry
The injuries have piled up among the Senators forwards, but Matt Duchene, Mike Hoffman and Colin White have found something special in recent games. They combined for three goals and six points against New Jersey.
Keeping an eye on Turris
Kyle Turris was a popular player in the dressing room and among fans for his play and community service, and the expectation is he will receive a warm welcome in his return to Canadian Tire Centre.
Keeping an eye on opponents’ net
Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne was on a roll heading into Nashville’s game against Toronto on Wednesday, but the Senators could catch a break because of the back-to-back scenario. The Senators might see Predators backup Juuse Saros.
Keeping the power in power play
Yes, we are saying this about the Senators’ play with the man advantage. Ottawa turned around its game against New Jersey on Tuesday by scoring on a 5-on-3 and 5-on-4 in the first period. The Senators have gone 4-for-11 in their past four games.
Special Teams
Senators: PP 16.7 (25th), PK 74.7 (28th)
Predators: PP 24.0 (3rd), PK 82.1 (11th)
Senators Gameday Lines
Ryan Dzingel Derick Brassard Mark Stone
Mike Hoffman Matt Duchene Colin White
Zack Smith Jean-Gabriel Pageau Tom Pyatt
Magnus Paajarvi Max McCormick Chris DiDomenico
Defence
Johnny Oduya Erik Karlsson
Dion Phaneuf Cody Ceci
Thomas Chabot Mark Borowiecki
Goalies
Craig Anderson
Mike Condon
Sick Bay
Clarke MacArthur, Chris Wideman, Gabriel Dumont, Nate Thompson
Predators Gameday Lines
Colton Sissons Ryan Johansen Viktor Arvidsson
Kevin Fiala Kyle Turris Craig Smith
Scott Hartnell Nick Bonino Calle Jarnkrok
Miikka Salomaki Austin Watson Pontus Aberg
Defence
Roman Josi Ryan Ellis
Mattias Ekholm P.K. Subban
Alexei Emelin Yannick Weber
Goalies
Pekka Rinne
Juuse Saros
Sick Bay: None