Hockey Club Battling for Consistency, Senators Strong Defense
Utah Hockey Club vs. Ottawa Senators: A Crucial Cross-Conference Battle
The Utah Hockey Club (21-20-7, 49 points, 6th Central) is on a challenging road trip as it heads into Canada to face the Ottawa Senators (24-20-4, 52 points, 6th Atlantic) on Sunday, January 28. Utah, coming off a 5-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Friday, will look to regroup and end their two-game slide. The defeat against the Jets snapped their three-game winning streak. With just four points separating them from the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference, every game becomes increasingly important. Ottawa, also fighting for playoff positioning, enters this matchup with momentum in mind, despite facing a challenging back-to-back after their Saturday contest against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Senators, currently one point behind the wild-card positions in the Eastern Conference, will seek a much-needed win to stay in the playoff hunt.
Utah Hockey Club: Searching for Consistency in a Tight Playoff Race
The Utah Hockey Club has faced some inconsistency this season, ranking 21st in the league for goals per game (2.9) and 16th in goals against (3.0). Their offense has been inconsistent, averaging just 27.2 shots per game (23rd), though they boast a respectable power play that clicks at 22.4%. The penalty kill is strong at 81.3%, ranking 11th overall. Despite their struggles, they’ve been kept in games by their key players, led by Clayton Keller, who has been dominant with 17 goals and 36 assists (53 points) to lead the team. Dylan Guenther, who is expected to return from injury, ranks second with 16 goals. Nick Schmaltz, with 29 assists, and Logan Cooley, who has 42 points, have also been important contributors. On the back end, Michael Kesselring leads the team in plus/minus (+11). However, goaltending remains a concern, as Connor Ingram’s .880 save percentage and 3.34 goals-against average are below the league average. His performance will be key if the Hockey Club hopes to overcome its offensive struggles and remain competitive in the playoff race.
Ottawa Senators: Solid Defense, But Offensive Struggles Remain
While the Ottawa Senators have shown solid defensive performances, ranking 10th in the NHL for goals against (2.8), their offensive woes have hindered their playoff push. The Senators average just 2.7 goals per game, placing them 25th in the league. However, they are dangerous on the power play, ranking 12th with a 22.2% success rate. On the penalty kill, Ottawa has room for improvement, sitting 19th at 78.3%. Brady Tkachuk has led the Senators’ offense, scoring 18 goals, while Tim Stützle, who has 45 points (30 assists), remains one of the brightest stars. However, with Josh Norris out injured, Ottawa has struggled to generate consistent scoring depth. Drake Batherson’s 40 points make him another key contributor, though Ottawa’s offense remains stagnant at times. The absence of Nick Jensen, who leads the team in plus/minus at +15, further weakens the lineup. In net, Anton Forsberg (5-9-1, 2.92 GAA, .889 SV%) has struggled at times, particularly in the absence of Linus Ullmark, but he will be expected to step up in this crucial contest.
Conclusion
This game presents a significant opportunity for both the Utah Hockey Club and the Ottawa Senators. The Senators are a point away from the wild card spot in the Atlantic Division and need a win to keep pace, while Utah is trying to stay relevant in the Western Conference playoff race. With both teams facing offensive and defensive challenges, the outcome will likely hinge on which squad can improve their execution in key moments, especially in the power play and goaltending departments.
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