The Ottawa Senators Host the Florida Panthers In Their Season Opener, Linus Ullmark's Ottawa Debut, And One other Tkachuk Bowl

The Ottawa Senators’ low season was all about making enhancements and re-balancing the roster, and so they will not have to attend to see the way it stacks up towards one of the best. The Sens start a brand new common season on Thursday evening, internet hosting the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers at Canadian Tire Centre.

The sport is usually billed because the Tkachuk Bowl, pitting Brady and Matthew towards one another. Nonetheless, relating to after-the-whistle shenanigans, they often keep away from one another.

Lower than 4 months in the past, the Tkachuks celebrated Matthew’s Stanley Cup victory with their father, Keith, cracking pints collectively at ice stage. Brady was clearly pleased with Matthew, nevertheless it’s solely pure to need what your older brother has.

“I do not need to say it,” Brady informed NHL.com throughout the celebration. “I am blissful, after all, [for] Florida, for Matthew, however I would like (us) to be the following Canadian workforce to win.”

At follow this morning, like blissful canines who have not been walked shortly, Brady was amongst quite a few Ottawa’s high gamers who got here out early to work on puck ability and taking pictures drills. As they scratch on the doorway to a brand new NHL season, all of them say they’re anxious for his or her first actual sport day in about six months.

Brady’s father, Keith, was within the stands with a number of the different Dads, together with Norm Batherson and Frank Pinto. They’re all questioning—identical to the followers—if that is the 12 months their boys can shake off their seven-year playoff drought, the third longest within the league. Solely Buffalo and Detroit have waited longer.

Over the summer time, the Senators fully overhauled their backside six forwards. Newcomers David Perron, Michael Amadio, Noah Gregor, Adam Gaudette, and Nick Cousins will make up 5 of the underside six. It will be a bizarre one for Cousins. The final sport he performed, he was with the Panthers within the Cup Closing.

Defenceman Nick Jensen helps rebalance the highest 4 D. And it is hoped that Linus Ullmark, along with his large new contract, will lastly bury the membership’s repute for being a goalie graveyard.

Each ahead line in Ottawa now has no less than one shift disturber, and Florida has no scarcity. It has the tone of an previous western, the place the younger gunfighter is hungry to strive his hand towards the perfect.

“What higher option to begin the season than enjoying towards the reigning Stanley Cup Champions,” Ullmark informed the media this morning. “Talking from private expertise, it is all the time been nice enjoyable enjoying towards them. They’re all the time bringing their “A” sport, they’re all the time so effectively coordinated, and so they’re enjoying robust hockey, which may be very exhausting to beat.”

Based mostly on this morning’s follow, this is how the Senator line mixtures will look.

Forwards:

Tkachuk-Stützle-Giroux

Greig-Norris-Batherson

Perron-Pinto-Amadio

Gregor-Gaudette-Cousins

Defence:

Sanderson-Zub

Chabot-Jensen

Kleven-Hamonic

Goaltender: Ullmark

Faceoff time is simply after 7 pm (RDS2, TSN5).

Related: Ottawa Senators Centre Shane Pinto Says There Are No Excuses Anymore: “I Think We Do Have Enough To Be A Playoff Team”

Related: Ottawa Senators Sign Ullmark to Four-Year Extension: “Ever Since We Came Here, It’s Been A Great Fit”