After a tough 3-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night, the Ottawa Senators have now lost three of their last four games. So, as they try to straighten things out on Thursday night against the Detroit Red Wings, head coach Travis Green has thrown his line combinations back into the lettuce spinner.
According to the team, Claude Giroux will play on the left wing with Tim Stützle and Fabian Zetterlund in Detroit, while Brady Tkachuk will be on the left side with Shane Pinto and Ridley Greig.
The one change on defence is one that many Senators fans on social media have been clamoring for – moving veteran Travis Hamonic to the press box. Nicolas Matinpalo slides into the number six position alongside Tyler Kleven. With Nick Jensen healthy for a second straight game, the top four D remain intact, which has been crucial to the team's success this season.
Anton Forsberg gave Linus Ullmark a night off in Tuesday’s game, so Ullmark will get the start in goal in Detroit on Thursday night.
The Senators lead the season series with a 2-1 record, thanks to a pair of 2-1 victories. In their last meeting, just over two weeks ago, Ullmark played out of his mind in a game the Red Wings probably deserved to win. Ullmark made a season-high 48 saves, including 27 in the second period.
The big Swede hopes to not be quite so busy on Thursday night.
Like the Senators, the Detroit Red Wings have lost three of their last four games. However, the Wings are running out of time. With 11 games left in their season, they’re just three points behind the Montreal Canadiens for the final Eastern wild card spot.
Complicating things is the fact that Montreal is one of four teams ahead of them. So, Detroit will not only need to get hot down the stretch but also hope that the teams ahead of them falter. Detroit is 3-7-0 in their last 10, so they aren’t exactly showing signs of a late charge.
The Wings have no shortage of former Senators content in their lineup. Vladimir Tarasenko is expected to move up onto the top line with Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond on Thursday. Alex DeBrincat skates on the second line and top power play unit with Patrick Kane, a deadly duo since their Chicago days. Cam Talbot is back after missing one game and will back up starter Alex Lyon. Austin Watson and Tyler Motte have both been drawing positive reviews lately as fourth-line teammates.
The faceoff is at 7:00 PM at Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena.