Senators Balanced Offense and Strong Defense, Blues Explosive Attack

Ottawa Senators vs St. Louis Blues: Game Preview, Key Players, and Predictions

The Ottawa Senators (19-15-2) will look to continue their strong run and move up the Atlantic Division standings as they face the St. Louis Blues (18-17-4) on Friday night at the Enterprise Center. The puck drop is set for 8 PM ET in this exciting inter-conference matchup.

Both teams enter this game with momentum, with Ottawa coming off a 3-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild and the Blues fresh off a 6-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. St. Louis has had the upper hand in recent matchups, holding a 6-4-0 record in their last 10 games.

Ottawa Senators: Key Offensive Threats and Strong Defensive Play

The Ottawa Senators are riding high after snapping a two-game losing streak with a solid 3-1 win over the Wild on Sunday. Earlier this season, they handed the Blues an 8-1 loss in October, and they’ll be aiming for the series sweep when these teams meet again on Friday.

Ottawa has been an offensive force this season, averaging 3.06 goals per game (ranking 14th in the NHL). In their most recent victory, they managed to score three goals on 37 shots against Minnesota. The team’s offensive success has been driven by the dynamic trio of Tim Stutzle, Drake Batherson, and Brady Tkachuk.

In their win over the Wild, Josh Norris and Ridly Greig each found the back of the net, while Tkachuk added an assist to his tally.

While Ottawa’s offense has been potent, their defense has also been impressive, allowing just 2.83 goals per game (11th in the NHL). The Senators’ defense has consistently played solid hockey, as evidenced by their strong showing in their last game, where they gave up only one goal to Minnesota.

Ottawa’s goalie, Leevi Merilainen, has stepped up in the crease, earning a 2-1-0 record, a 2.68 GAA, and a .900 save percentage. He was solid in their win over Minnesota, stopping 30 of 31 shots faced.

St. Louis Blues: High-Scoring Offense and Defensive Concerns

The St. Louis Blues enter this game following a dominant 6-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks in the Winter Classic. After a disappointing loss to Buffalo, the Blues will look to build on this momentum and earn their second consecutive win.

St. Louis has been effective on offense, averaging 2.69 goals per game (21st in the NHL), and they showed their firepower in their recent win, scoring six goals on just 28 shots. Leading the way offensively for the Blues is Jordan Kyrou, who has posted 32 points (16 goals, 16 assists). He is joined by Robert Thomas with 29 points (8 goals, 21 assists), and Dylan Holloway, who has contributed 26 points (14 goals, 12 assists).

In their last game against Chicago, Justin Faulk recorded a goal and two assists, while Cam Fowler scored twice, and Kyrou added a goal of his own to the tally.

While the Blues’ offense has been consistent, their defense remains a point of concern. They are allowing an average of 3.00 goals per game, ranking 15th in the league, and will need to tighten up if they want to shut down Ottawa’s high-powered offense. The Blues have struggled to limit opponents’ shots and scoring chances, and they’ll have to improve their play in their own zone to succeed.

In goal, Jordan Binnington has been a mixed bag this season. With a record of 10-14-3, a 2.89 GAA, and a .897 save percentage, Binnington will need to improve on his consistency if the Blues are to make a run in the standings. He made 28 saves on 30 shots in the win over the Blackhawks, and a similar performance will be crucial for the Blues in this game.

Conclusion

Both the Ottawa Senators and the St. Louis Blues have shown flashes of brilliance this season, but they also have their vulnerabilities. Ottawa’s strong defense and top-line offense should give them the edge, but St. Louis’ scoring depth and the performance of Jordan Binnington could keep them in the game. A tight contest is expected, with Ottawa likely emerging victorious if they maintain their solid defensive play and capitalize on their offensive depth.

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