Clash at Bell Centre: Ottawa Senators Face Off Against Montreal Canadiens
As the Ottawa Senators gear up to face the Montreal Canadiens at the iconic Bell Centre, fans are looking forward to what promises to be an electrifying match-up. The Senators, coming off a thrilling overtime victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins on December 24th with a score of 5-4, have shown they can hold their own in high-pressure situations.
The Senators' performance in that game was marked by resilience and offensive prowess. Despite being outshot 34 to 26, they managed an impressive shooting percentage of 19 percent compared to the Penguins' 12 percent. This efficiency in front of goal could be a decisive factor against the Canadiens. Moreover, their powerplay opportunities were limited but they didn't concede any goals while shorthanded, showcasing strong special teams play which will be crucial in their upcoming game.
On the flip side, one area where OTT needs improvement is faceoff win percentage which stood at only 41 percent against Pittsburgh. Winning faceoffs is critical as it translates into control of the puck and potentially more scoring opportunities.
Looking back further into OTT's recent games reveals some inconsistencies but also areas of strength. Their loss against Colorado Avalanche on December 22nd saw them with a higher number of shots (45) than their opponents (39), yet they fell short by two points in a high-scoring affair that ended with a scoreline favoring Colorado at 6-4. However, it's worth noting that OTT's goaltending had saved percentages above .840 across these games which indicates reliability between the pipes.
OTT’s tenacity was evident when despite leading by three goals after the first period against Arizona Coyotes on December 20th; they couldn't maintain this lead and eventually lost with a final score of 3-4. The takeaway from this encounter was clear – maintaining consistency throughout all three periods is key for success.
The Canadiens will pose different challenges for OTT; however, if recent performances are anything to go by, fans can expect an aggressive offensive strategy from Ottawa Senators coupled with robust defending and goaltending – elements that could very well tilt this upcoming game in their favor.
As anticipation builds for this classic Canadian hockey showdown scheduled for January 24th at midnight UTC time (7 PM Eastern Time), fans should mark their calendars not just for what will likely be an intense battle on ice but also as an opportunity for Ottawa Senators to solidify their position as serious contenders this season. Fans won’t want to miss any action and can catch every moment live on ESPN+ over internet broadcast networks nationally.