After an ugly 6-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks on December 1st, the Ottawa Senators have won 2 in a row. Now they have an opportunity to make it a streak when they take on the New Jersey Devil’s tonight.
Ottawa was outplayed and severely out-shot against the Carolina Hurricanes, but thanks to a stellar performance from Anton Forsberg, came away with a 3-2 victory. Forsberg made 47 saves while Alex Formenton scored a pair of goals. It wasn’t pretty but it was a win and snapped the Sens 6 game losing skid.
On Saturday, the Senators got revenge on the Colorado Avalanche in another high-scoring affair. After a 7-5 loss on November 22nd, Ottawa jumped out to a 5-2 lead in the 2nd period but it would get erased with 3 unanswered goals from the Avs. All tied at 5, this game needed overtime and it was the captain, Brady Tkachuk, ending it within the first minute. Tkachuk made a solid defensive play getting his stick in the way of a pass, then took off the other way on a breakaway, burying the game-winner and his 2nd of the night.
OT WINNER ✅#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/q5Vwvr6nJS
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) December 5, 2021
Ottawa now finds themselves in New Jersey with a chance to make it 3 in a row. Anton Forsberg was the starting goaltender for both wins and finds himself between the pipes again tonight.
Morning skate lines in NJ:
Tkachuk Norris Batherson
Paul Stützle CBrown
Formenton Tierney Ennis
Sanford Gambrell Watson
GaudetteChabot Zaitsev
Holden Zub
Mete Thomson
Del ZottoForsberg-starters end.
— TSN 1200 (@TSN1200) December 6, 2021
The only change from Saturday’s 6-5 OT win against Colorado is Victor Mete coming in for Dillon Heatherington on defence. Heatherington’s on the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list after being in close contact with someone who tested positive.
Tim Stutzle had himself a game against the Avalanche, scoring a pair of goals to go with an assist. It was nice to see him have a breakout game and we’ll see if it gives Stutzle some extra confidence moving forward. DJ Smith awarded him for his performance following the win.
TIMMY 😎#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/bxSwMqxlhY
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) December 5, 2021
Can the Sens turn back-to-back wins over Stanley Cup contenders into a 3 game winning streak against a Devil’s squad that’s lost 3 straight games? We’ll find out tonight, it’s a 7 o’clock puck drop in New Jersey!
By Steve Bunda
