The Ottawa Senators return home for the first time in 10 days for a matchup against cap dump Mathieu Joseph and the St. Louis Blues. This is their first meeting of two on the season with the second on Jan. 3. Joseph will not dress due to a lower body injury from Saturday. His return to Ottawa will not be until the 2025-26 season.
Ottawa has been on their first Western road trip, upsetting Utah in Salt Lake City, but dropping their final two games to Vegas and Colorado. They come into tonight's contest as the last team in the Atlantic Division based on points, but tied for fourth in points percentage. The Senators also come in a bit viral and trendy after the footage from Denver unveiled the goaltending carrousel Linus Ullmark and Anton Forsberg went through to get Forsberg's equipment fixed mid-game against the Avalanche.
Lots of excitement to be back home. A week and a half away from the fans, and where there is a 75% success rate this season unlike the 25% on the road. Also, Hockey Halloween is in town tonight with Spartacat.
The Senators made a roster transaction this morning, as the team recalled forwards Adam Gaudette and Zack Ostapchuk from the Belleville Senators, and reassigned forward Cole Reinhardt. The AHL affiliate signed goaltender Malcom Subban yesterday to an AHL only contract. The first rounder of Boston last suited up for the Blue Jackets and Monsters on their playoff run last season. This is the goalie's second stint in Belleville, as he was a goalie with the Bulls in the early 2010s.
Head coach Travis Green confirmed this morning that goaltender Linus Ullmark will get the start in goal for the Senators. Joel Hofer is getting the go for the Blues over Jordan Binnington, who is undefeated 3-0-0 to start the season for the Blues.
Projected Lineups
St. Louis Blues
Alexandre Texier -- Pavel Buchnevich -- Jordan Kyrou
Brandon Saad -- Brayden Schenn -- Jake Neighbours
Zack Bolduc -- Dylan Holloway -- Kasperi Kapanen
Alexey Toropchenko -- Radek Faksa -- Oskar Sundqvist
Ryan Suter -- Colton Parayko
Philip Broberg -- Justin Faulk
Pierre-Olivier Joseph -- Matthew Kessel
Joel Hofer
Jordan Binnington
Scratched: Nathan Walker, Scott Perunovich, David Perron
Injured: Robert Thomas (fractured ankle), Nick Leddy (lower body), Mathieu Joseph (lower body)
Ottawa Senators
Brady Tkachuk -- Tim Stutzle -- Ridly Greig
Claude Giroux -- Josh Norris -- Drake Batherson
Noah Gregor -- Zack Ostapchuk -- Michael Amadio
Nick Cousins -- Adam Gaudette -- Zack MacEwen
Jake Sanderson -- Travis Hamonic
Thomas Chabot -- Nick Jensen
Tyler Kleven -- Jacob Bernard-Docker
Linus Ullmark
Anton Forsberg
Scratched: None
Injured: Artem Zub (concussion), Shane Pinto (undisclosed)
Players to Watch
St. Louis - Jordan Kyrou. The top forward for the Blues this season is having 9 points in 9 games. He is without Robert Thomas as his center this season, but is still dishing helpers to his linemates.
Ottawa - Claude Giroux. The veteran leader has 8 points in his previous 5 contests. 4 goals and 4 assists. Streaky.
Predicted Final Score
OTT - 4
STL - 3
More is coming...