Ottawa Senators Gear Up with a Strong Preseason Finale

In a heartening turn of events for Ottawa Senators fans, the team’s crucial preseason skate at the Canadian Tire Centre on Thursday showcased the return of three key players. Captain Brady Tkachuk, center Tim Stutzle, and alternate captain Thomas Chabot all participated fully, easing concerns after their early exit during a recent nail-biting 4-3 victory over the Montreal Canadiens.

Coach Travis Green expressed relief to the media, saying, “It was good to see them. I don’t think we were overly concerned, but when you have three guys leave the game, it’s nice that they’re back on the ice." As their presence was confirmed, excitement brewed for the Senators' upcoming home match against the Canadiens.

In preparation for this game, the Senators have reinforced their roster by recalling several standout players from their AHL affiliate in Belleville, including Tyler Boucher, Angus Crookshank, Stephen Halliday, Hayden Hodgson, Cole Reinhardt, Filip Roos, and Donovan Sebrango. Each of these players is known for their gritty playing style and willingness to engage physically, promising a heated matchup against their rivals.

As the Senators approach their showdown against the Canadiens, Coach Green aims to balance sending a strong message with player safety. Rugged forwards Zack MacEwen and Jan Jenik are expected to make the lineup to deter any aggressive plays against Ottawa’s star players.

The stakes are particularly high as both teams are set to clash not only this Saturday but also in a rematch on October 12 in Montreal. With the NHL regular season looming just around the corner on October 12 against the Florida Panthers, the Senators are gearing up to ensure they are at their strongest.

Although all three stars were back on the ice, their participation in upcoming games remains uncertain. Coach Green hinted that “most of the three will play,” yet they must be judicious about their physical health following the rough game against the Canadiens.

The nasty turn of events against Montreal saw a significant escalation in physicality, beginning with Ridly Greig’s controversial hit on Habs player Kirby Dach. This incident triggered a series of retaliations, culminating in a dangerous play targeting Stutzle that saw him sidelined from the game. Reflecting on the events, Stutzle stated, “I didn’t like the hit, but in the end, I got lucky I didn’t get seriously hurt.”

Tkachuk, who sustained some bumps and bruises during the game, shared his thoughts: “Whenever you have rivalry games, there’s so much passion. These matches are always intense, whether in preseason or regular season.

As the Senators aim to finalize their roster and strategies for the regular season, all eyes will undoubtedly be on the team as they continue to build momentum and chemistry ahead of their inaugural game, an essential stepping stone in their quest for success this season.