Opinion
3 min read

Senators Eye Redemption Against Hurricanes in Ottawa Showdown

As the Ottawa Senators gear up to face the Carolina Hurricanes at the Canadian Tire Centre, fans are holding their breath for what promises to be a gripping encounter. The Senators have had a turbulent ride recently, with their performance oscillating like a pendulum. However, as they prepare to host the Hurricanes on March 17th, there's more than just points at stake—it's about pride and redemption.


Dec 12, 2023; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Carolina Hurricanes goalie Pyotr Kochetkov (52) follows the puck after making a save in the first period against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

In their last outing against the Philadelphia Flyers on March 3rd, the Senators showed flashes of brilliance but ultimately fell short in a game that ended with a scoreline of 4-2 in favor of the Flyers. Despite outshooting their opponents and winning 57 percent of faceoffs, they couldn't capitalize on five powerplay opportunities—a statistic that they'll be desperate to improve upon.


The Senators' resilience was tested again when they faced off against Arizona Coyotes on March 2nd. It was an intense battle where both teams were neck-and-neck until the final buzzer sounded. The Coyotes edged out with a narrow victory of 5-3 despite an impressive display from OTT who won over half of their faceoffs and blocked an admirable number of shots.


Dec 12, 2023; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Carolina Hurricanes goalie Pyotr  Kochetkov (52) makes a save on a shot from  Ottawa Senators right wing Drake Batherson (19) in the third period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports.

One aspect that has been consistent for OTT is their goaltending which has remained robust despite fluctuating support from offense and defense lines. In Nashville against Predators on February 28th, while suffering another defeat by one goal margin (4-1), goaltending stood out as one area where OTT didn't falter—saving at an excellent rate throughout regular play time.


Looking ahead to facing CAR, it's clear that special teams will play a pivotal role once again. The powerplay unit needs to find its rhythm if OTT hopes to overcome CAR’s formidable challenge. With disciplined play and sharp execution during man advantages could turn fortunes around for OTT who have shown they can hold strong defensively even when down players.


Dec 12, 2023; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators right wing Claude Giroux (28) follows the puck on a face off in the first period against the Carolina Hurricanes at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

CAR comes into this game with confidence but must not underestimate an OTT team hungry for victory before its home crowd. As much as this is about strategy and skill execution, it’s also about heart—the kind that rallies players together after setbacks; something Ottawa has shown time and again this season.


The upcoming clash promises excitement with both teams looking to assert dominance early on in proceedings; however, it will likely come down to which team can maintain composure under pressure while exploiting any given opportunity—areas where OTT needs significant improvement based on recent performances.


Fans eager not only for redemption but also thrilling hockey should mark their calendars for Saturday night at Canadian Tire Centre or tune into ESPN+ or BSSO at precisely ten past ten PM Eastern Time Zone—an encounter you wouldn’t want to miss!

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