The Pittsburgh Penguins (18-17-8) snapped a four game losing streak on Thursday against the Edmonton Oilers, a pivotal game that has the potential to be season-altering for the black and gold.
Today, the Ottawa Senators (19-18-3) come into town. Not very long ago, the Senators were the hottest team in hockey, streaking all the way into a playoff spot. However, eerily similar to Pittsburgh, they've scuffled in the new year and even dating back to before Christmas.
Ottawa has lost four straight and six of their last seven. In that time, they have not eclipsed three goals in a game, being shut out twice. The momentum is undoubtedly with Pittsburgh, but the Penguins need to keep Ottawa buried. Here's how they can do it.
Snap another streak
For the third time in a week, the Penguins are faced with snapping a ridiculous losing streak against a specific team. First, it was the house of horrors in Carolina. Then, it was straight up beating Edmonton.
Now, it's a five game losing streak at the hands of the Senators.
It's pretty amazing how the Penguins have so many active losing streaks against certain teams and how they seem to just have their number. The Penguins' losing skid against Ottawa is not quite as egregious as the previous two, but it's a streak no less.
The Senators have won the last five matchups dating back to almost two years ago on January 20, 2023 when the Penguins won at home, 4-1. Each of the last three bouts have gone to overtime, and Ottawa cashed in on all three.
It's debatable which streak was more ridiculous - Carolina or Edmonton - but now the Penguins have the understanding on how to snap a skid. The way they played the Oilers seems to be how to do it. Get out early. Hold the line. Get some good saves from your goaltender. A similar plan should be in place tonight.
Someone please stop Drake Batherson
I love the NHL, but you would be foolish to assume I watch the Ottawa Senators on a regular basis. With that in mind, it's not a good sign when I look at the Senators logo and immediately shiver at the thought of what Drake Batherson is going to do to the Penguins this afternoon.
Don't get me wrong, Batherson is a good player. He's a perennial 20 goal scorer and was even an All-Star in 2021-22.
But my goodness. When he plays the Penguins you'd think he's prime Marian Hossa.
Batherson has eight goals and seven assists in 11 career games against the Penguins. He has been held without a point in just two of those 11 games.
There's something about playing the black and gold that gets Batherson fired up. Today is the day to have him marked like Draisaitl and McDavid were on Thursday night. Don't let him beat you.
Take advantage of a backup goalie
The Penguins had a chance to take advantage of Dustin Tokarski last Sunday in Carolina. They did in terms of shooting percentage, but the loss meant that there was a little more left on the table.
As of the publishing of this article, it seems as though the Penguins will be avoiding the Senators' new weapon in Linus Ullmark. Instead, it looks like they'll match up against Anton Forsberg.
Ullmark has been dealing with a back injury since just before Christmas, and according to ottawacitizen.com, he is extremely unlikely to play today. It's crazy how you can draw a direct correlation to the Senators' losing streak with Ullmark going down. I predicted before the season that the Senators would make the playoffs solely because of his presence. It appears he is the life force of Ottawa's hockey club.
Green says Ullmark skated a little bit on his own today. He continues to progress in his recovery from his back ailment.
— TSN 1200 Ottawa (@TSN1200) January 10, 2025
Anyway, back to Forsberg. His record is 4-8-1 this season and his save percentage is just .883. He's given up at least four goals in his last five starts, and all of them the Senators have lost. It's a perfect storm for the Penguins.
Oddly enough, there was only one game in that stretch where Forsberg faced over 30 shots, and in that game he finished with 30 saves on 33 shots - a .909 save percentage. Every other game Forsberg has played in the last two months he's faced less than 30 shots, and he has never eclipsed a .900 save percentage.
The verdict: quality shots, not quantity. Pick your spots and hit them. This bodes well for snipers like Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust who have been en fuego for a very long time.
Literally just be Chris Kunitz
Here's your friendly reminder that the Penguins ended the Ottawa Senators franchise with this goal back in 2017. It's also just an excuse to show this clip.
Of my three major fandoms (Pirates, Steelers, Penguins), this one is my most favorite of all time. Reminisce and enjoy.
Puck drop is scheduled for 4pm EST. The Penguins' home record is 12-7-3, and Ottawa's away record is 9-11-2.