The Ottawa Senators continue their tour of Western Canada with the first half of the first of 19 back-to-backs this season when they visit the Saddledome and the Calgary Flames.
Calgary has won three straight games after dropping the opener to Connor McDavid and the Oilers, scoring 12 goals in those 3 outings while allowing just 6. Johhny Gaudreau leads the Flames with 7 points, 6 of them assists. New starting goalie Mike Smith has been in net for all 4 games, with a .950 save percentage and one shutout.
The Senators will look to extend their points streak to four games, being the only team that has gone to a shootout more than once. All three of their games have been decided in that manner, with the Senators coming out with one win and a pair of losses.
There are a few questions heading into the morning, with the potential that Johnny Oduya could be joining the team sometime today and might be available to play tonight. His availability will go a long way in determining if the Senators will go with 7 defensemen or the traditional 6, and whether or not Thomas Chabot will get another game before being sent back to Belleville. Erik Karlsson has pretty much been ruled out from heading west and is targeting a return for Tuesday night when the team returns home to face the Canucks.
Also as yet to be determined (and will likely be confirmed at the morning skate) is whether it will be Mike Condon or Craig Anderson between the pipes. With the back to back, each will most likely get a game and it could be Condon going tonight with Anderson facing the Oilers on Saturday.
The Senators special teams remain perfectly imperfect, as they are one of 5 teams yet to score a power play goal, while they are the only team in the league who has not given up a goal while killing a penalty.