Ducks vs Senators: A Winter Battle in Ottawa
As a touch of winter lingers in the air, the Anaheim Ducks arrive in Ottawa to face the Senators on Saturday afternoon. This matchup promises an exciting contest between two teams looking to solidify their positions in the NHL standings. The Ducks, fresh off a mixed bag on their northern road trip – a 4-1 victory over Winnipeg and a 6-4 loss to Toronto – will aim to continue their momentum at 1 p.m. ET in the nation’s capital.
The Challenge Ahead for Ottawa
Senators Head Coach Travis Green acknowledges the offensive firepower the Ducks bring to the table. “A very offensive group, lot of skill throughout their lineup, very mobile back end,” Green stated. “Their goalies have played well, there’s a reason they’re where they’re at in the standings.” The Senators are coming off a close 3-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday, the first game of a three-game homestand that continues Sunday against the San Jose Sharks.
Lineup Adjustments for the Senators
Ottawa faces some defensive challenges with Jake Sanderson (week-to-week) and Nick Jensen (day-to-day) sidelined due to injuries. To bolster the blue line, Dennis Gilbert will enter the lineup on Saturday. Green highlighted Gilbert’s experience and physicality: “[Gilbert is a] veteran guy, he understands the defensive side of the game,” he said. “Bigger body. Looking for him to play a hard and heavy game. Take away time and space against a very offensive team.” Gilbert will skate alongside Nikolas Matinpalo.
Team Stats and Recent Performance
The Senators currently hold a 32-23-9 record after 64 games. Interestingly, their point percentage (.570) mirrors their performance after the same number of games last season. This Saturday’s 1 p.m. ET start is one of four afternoon games remaining on the Senators’ schedule, with upcoming matinees against Tampa Bay (March 28), Minnesota (April 4), and the NY Islanders (April 11).
Since January 28th, the Senators have boasted an impressive 2.15 Goals Against Average (GAA), the best in the NHL during that span, showcasing their improved defensive capabilities.
Recent History: Ducks vs. Senators
The Senators have had the upper hand in recent matchups against the Ducks, securing a 3-2 victory in their earlier meeting this season (November 20th in Anaheim) and a decisive 5-1 win at Canadian Tire Centre (December 11, 2024). Drake Batherson proved to be the hero in both games, scoring the winning goal. A win on Saturday would give Ottawa their first three-game winning streak against the Ducks since February 1, 2018 – February 7, 2019.
Game Day Specials & How to Watch
McDonald’s is fueling the excitement with a special offer: a $4+tax BIG MAC®️ with the McDonald’s App on every Sens Game Day!
Watch & Listen
- Watch: TSN5, TVAS
- Listen: TSN 1200 (English), 104.7 Outaouais (French)
Stay Connected
- Senators Website: www.ottawasenators.com
- Senators on X: @Senators
- Senators on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ottawasenators
- Senators on Instagram: senators
