Pre-GAME
The Senators defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 in overtime to lock up the top wildcard spot. It’s now OFFICIAL – the Ottawa Senators will face their Provincial rival Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the playoffs.
Playoff Race: Montreal failed to score two points last night however they did take one valuable point. They have not officially clinched a playoff spot, their faith now sits in the hands of Columbus tonight. With a Columbus win, Montreal will need to collect a win against Carolina. If Columbus should fail to win, Montreal would clinch the remaining spot in the East.
TO WATCH: Sens vs. Blackhawks at 7:00pm on TSN5
Game Day Report / Locker Room / On This Day / Around The Rink
GAME DAY REPORT
Senators vs. Blackhawks
Last Time: The Senators battled the Chicago Blackhawks back on March 4th in a 4-3 victory. They meet for a second and final time tonight.
Game Day: Ottawa defeated the Philadelphia Flyers while the Blackhawks faced the Montreal Canadiens, winning in a controversial shootout.
Blackhawks
24-46-11
8th Central
W1
2.71 (27th)
24.0 (11th)
3.58 (31st)
80.0 (13th)
Matchup
Record
Standing
Streak
Avg. Goals Scored
PP (%)
Avg. Goals Allowed
PK (%)
Senators
44-30-6
4th Atlantic
W2
2.90 (T20th)
23.0 (15th)
2.79 (T9th)
78.0 (T17th)
Injury Report
Senators: N. Cousins (IR-LT – Knee), B. Tkachuk (Day-To-Day – Upper Body)
Blackhawks: C. Dach (Elbow), J. Dickinson (Wrist), L. Brossoit (IR-NR – Knee)
LOCKER ROOM – JERSEY #97 & 98
The last two jerseys to cover in our “Locker Room” segment. Matt Gilroy is the only player to wear jersey #97 and Victor Mete is the only player to wear jersey #98.
Matt Gilroy
2011-12
Victor Mete
2020-21 to 2021-22
Check Out Senators Jersey History!
ON THE BENCH
D.J. Smith (2019-2023)
D.J. Smith began his coaching career as Assistant Coach to the Windsor Spitfires from 2005-2012 before becoming Head Coach of the Oshawa Generals from 2012 to 2015. He made his NHL coaching debut as Assistant Coach to the Toronto Maple Leafs under Head Coach Mike Babcock during the 2015-16 season.
He remained an Assistant Coach with the Maple Leafs until May 23, 2019, when he joined Ottawa as Head Coach of the Senators under a three year agreement. The Senators missed the playoffs every year under D.J. Smith’s coaching, however it was widely acknowledged that the Senators had undergone a long-term rebuild under his tenure.
In the 2019-20 season, the Senators finished with a record of 25-34-12, finishing 7th in the Atlantic division when the season was shuttered due to the COVID pandemic. The following season saw a shortened “bubble” season of 56 games with the Senators having a record of 23-28-5 to finish 6th in the North division.
On July 28, 2021, D.J. Smith signed a two year contract extension running through the 2023-24 season. With the 2021-22 season restored to a full 82-game schedule the Senators finished the year with a record of 33-42-7, an improvement from the past three seasons but not enough to make the playoffs.
In the 2022-23 season the Senators improved again, this time ending the season with a record of 39-35-8, finishing 6th in the Atlantic division and missing the playoffs once again. Lastly, during the 2023-24 season, after 26 games, and with a record of 11-15-0, the Senators fired D.J. Smith on December 18, 2023.
D.J. Smith was hired on February 6, 2024 as Assistant Coach for the Los Angeles Kings under Jim Hiller’s staff. The Ottawa Senators would welcome the return of Jacques Martin for the rest of the 2023-24 season
THE STORY CONTINUES IN OUR NEXT POST
AROUND THE RINK
- NHL Buzz: Tkachuk practices with Senators, expected ready for start of playoffs
- Cotter of Devils suspended 2 games for illegal check to head
- Sharks captain Couture to announce retirement
