As the Ottawa Senators gear up for their season opener against the Montreal Canadiens, fans are eagerly anticipating what promises to be an electrifying match-up at the Bell Centre. With both teams looking to start their season on a high note, this game is set to showcase the talent and strategy that will define their campaigns.

Oct 5, 2024; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman nick jensen (3) and Montreal Canadiens right wing Brendan Gallgher (11) battle for control of the puck in the third period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images

Analyzing Ottawa Senators' Last Season Performance

The previous season was a mixed bag for the Ottawa Senators, with notable strengths and areas needing improvement. The team played 82 games, scoring 250 goals from 2602 shots, translating into a shooting percentage of 10 percent. Their faceoff win percentage stood at a commendable 51 percent, indicating strong performance in puck possession battles.

On special teams, the powerplay unit managed an efficiency rate of 18 percent by converting 51 goals from 429 shots. This was supported by a dominant faceoff win percentage of 59 percent during powerplays. However, the penalty kill showed room for improvement with a kill percentage of only 75 percent.

Oct 5, 2024; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman Travis Hamonic (23) and Montreal Canadiens center Christian Dvorak (28) chase the puck in the third period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images

Defensively and offensively speaking, averages per game included assists (5.13), blocked shots (16.54), points (8.18), hits (24.37), takeaways (7.28), and giveaways (9.72). The goaltending department saw wins totaling up to 37 out of potential losses numbering at 41; showcasing resilience but also highlighting areas for betterment in goal defense strategies as they faced an average of about three goals against per game.

What Fans Can Expect

Given these statistics from last season, fans can expect the Ottawa Senators to come into this game focusing on improving their penalty kill effectiveness and maintaining strong performances in faceoffs and powerplay situations.

The venue itself adds another layer of excitement; playing away at Bell Centre poses its unique challenges and atmosphere that could influence gameplay dynamics significantly.

The team's ability to adapt defensively while capitalizing on offensive opportunities will be crucial against a formidable opponent like the Montreal Canadiens.

Oct 5, 2024; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators center Mattew Highmore (15) moves the puck past Montreal Canadiens defenseman Justin Barron (52) in the first period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images

As we look forward to this thrilling encounter between two historic franchises, it's clear that both teams have much to prove in this early-season clash.

Fans should keep an eye on how well Ottawa leverages its strengths while addressing last season's shortcomings as they aim for victory on foreign ice.

Catch all the action live from Bell Centre in Montreal on October 12th at 19:00 ET broadcasted over ESPN+. Join fellow enthusiasts online or tune in via internet streaming platforms as we kick off what promises to be another exhilarating NHL season!

Preview

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