Clash on Ice: Ottawa Senators Host San Jose Sharks at Canadian Tire Centre

As the Ottawa Senators prepare to face off against the San Jose Sharks at the Canadian Tire Centre, fans are eagerly anticipating what promises to be an electrifying game. The Senators have been showing a mix of performances lately, but their recent victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on December 24th showcased their resilience and ability to come out on top in high-pressure situations.

The Senators' 5-4 win against the Penguins was a testament to their offensive capabilities, particularly during even-strength play where they netted four of their five goals. Their shooting percentage was impressive at 19 percent, indicating that when they shoot, they score with efficiency. However, one area of concern for OTT has been faceoffs; winning only 41 percent indicates room for improvement in puck possession right from the drop.

On special teams, while OTT did not capitalize on powerplay opportunities during that game – scoring zero out of four chances – their penalty kill was notably strong. They managed to keep Pittsburgh's powerplay at bay by not allowing any goals during shorthanded situations.

Looking back further into December provides more context for OTT's current form. In a tough matchup against Colorado Avalanche on December 22nd, despite firing an impressive number of shots (45), they fell short with only four finding the back of the net and ultimately lost with a final scoreline favoring Colorado 6-4. This game highlighted some defensive frailties as well as goaltending issues since OTT allowed five goals from just thirty-eight shots.

In another encounter earlier in December (20th) against Arizona Coyotes, OTT started strong with three first-period goals but failed to maintain momentum and succumbed to a late surge by Arizona resulting in a narrow loss (4-3). This pattern suggests that while OTT can establish early leads through aggressive starts, sustaining that intensity throughout all three periods remains challenging.

The upcoming match presents an opportunity for redemption and consistency for Ottawa Senators. The team must leverage its offensive strengths while tightening up defensively if it hopes to secure victory over San Jose Sharks – who will undoubtedly be looking to exploit any signs of weakness.

Fans should expect an intense battle where special teams could very well make or break the outcome for either side. With both teams eager for wins under their belts early in this new year's campaign, neither will give ground easily.

The action unfolds on January 13th at 4:00 PM EST at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa. Fans can catch every moment live via ESPN+ online or tune into NBCS-CA channel 698 if following from away territories.