Can Senators Weather the Storm at Climate Pledge Arena?
As the Ottawa Senators prepare to face off against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena, fans are eager to see if their team can carry forward the momentum from their recent home victory. The Senators showcased a strong offensive game in their last match, outshooting their opponents with a shooting percentage of 16 percent and securing a win with five goals to one. Their powerplay capitalized on opportunities, while goaltending was exceptional, saving 45 out of 46 shots.
However, consistency remains an issue for Ottawa as they had previously suffered a loss despite scoring three goals and taking 38 shots. Defensive vulnerabilities were exposed as they conceded six goals and displayed a minus-nine plus-minus rating. The Senators' penalty kill will need attention after allowing one goal on just one shorthanded shot faced in that game.
The upcoming challenge against Seattle will test Ottawa's resilience away from home ice. The venue could play a significant role; Climate Pledge Arena is known for its energetic crowd support which often boosts the home team's performance.
The Senators' fans should look for improvements in faceoff win percentages and maintaining discipline to minimize penalty minutes. Special teams could be decisive; thus executing on powerplay chances while shutting down Seattle's man-advantage situations will be crucial.
Ottawa must also focus on tightening up defensively after giving away six goals in Vancouver – an area where they'll need marked improvement if they wish to come away with points from this road game.
The match is scheduled for January 5th at 03:00 AM UTC and can be watched nationally on ESPN+ or locally via ROOT Sports NW channel 687.