Game Day – Sens vs. Buffalo – Mar 27, 2024

---

Pre-GAME

Forward Thinking

Ice hockey originally did not allow forward passing. It was not until September 28, 1929 that the NHL allowed forward passing in all zones. In an effort to speed up the game offensively, at the NHL meeting in Chicago on September 24, 1927, the NHL began allowing forward passing within the defensive zone by changing the offside rule. The new rule stated “a defending player shall not be considered offside in his area if he receives the puck in that area [between his own goal and the blue line].” They hoped to “materially cut down whistle-blowing for trivial off-sides which in themselves were of no advantage to the side offending in this respect.”

After a season of particularly low scoring in 1929, the board of governors implemented numerous changes meant to speed up the game by allowing more opportunities for scoring and less for whistle-blowing. The most impactful change involved the forward pass. The new rule stated, “The ice shall be divided into three sections known as the defending zone, the neutral zone, and the attacking zone. It is permitted to pass the puck forward by one player to another of the same side in each of these three zones, but it shall not be permitted to pass the puck by a player from one zone to a player of the same side in any other zone unless the player taking the pass crosses the zone line behind the puck.”

Immediately, they got their wish and saw scoring boosted dramatically. Scoring reached the double digits, and by December, teams were averaging 3.5 goals per game, over twice the previous average. 

Read Full Article

---

GAME DAY REPORT

Senators vs. Sabres

Last time: On Jan 11, the Ottawa Senators lost to the Buffalo Sabres 5-3. This would mark the second time this season that they had gone 0-5 on the road. Claude Giroux has a two goal game but most notably from the game was an injury to Anton Forsberg that would keep him out of action for quite some time.

Game Day: Tonight the Senators face the Sabres at 7pm in Buffalo. They looking to even the series tonight as Buffalo has beaten the Senators 2 out of the 3 meetings this year.

Injury Report

Senators: J. Norris (LT – Shoulder), Z. MacEwen (IR – Lower Body), M. Highmore (Upper Body)
Sabres: Tyson Jost (Day to Day), Jack Quinn (Lower Body), Mattias Samuelsson (Upper Body)

---

Game recap – Mar 24 – sens vs. oilers

Senators defeat powerhouse Oilers 5-3

The Senators scored 3 out of 4 power play opportunities to defeat the Edmonton Oilers at the Canadian Tire Centre. Jakob Chychryn scored twice while Tim Stutzle and Drake Batherson each recorded 3 points.

Quick Sens Highlights:

• Edmonton scored the opening goal to take a 1-0 lead however it was short-lived. Jakob Chychryn scored his 10th of the season, a power-play goal, assisted by Tim Stutzle and Drake Batherson to tie the game 1-1.
• Edmonton fired back at the beginning of the 2nd period by scoring twice to extend the lead 3-1 but Ottawa fought back, scoring twice themselves.
• Tim Stutzle scored his 18th of the season, assisted by Mathieu Joseph and Erik Brannstrom.
• Drake Batherson scored his 25th of the season, a power-play goal, assisted by Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stutzle.
• Entering the third period tied, Ottawa fought all period and converted yet another power-play into a goal.
• Jakob Chychryn, scored his 11th (and 2nd of the game), another power-play goal, assisted by Brady Tkachuk and Drake Batherson.
• Parker Kelly scored his 7th of the season, an empty net goal, assisted by Claude Giroux to end any hope of an Oilers comeback.
• The Senators converted 3 out of 4 power play opportunities while Edmonton converted 2 out of 3, it certainly was a power-play game!
• Joonas Korpisalo took the win, in his second consecutive start, making 33 saves on 36 shots for a 3.00 GA and .917 SV%.

NHL Three Stars

⭐ J. Korpisalo (33 SV .917 SV %) ⭐⭐ J. Chychrun (2G) ⭐⭐⭐ D. Batherson (1G 2A)

---

THROUGH THE YEARS – 2005-06 SEASON

The Ottawa Senators record for the 2005-06 season was 52-21-9, which resulted in 113 points for 1st place in the Northeast division and 2nd overall in the NHL.

General Manager: John Muckler
Coach: Bryan Murray
Captain: Daniel Alfredsson
Alternate Captains: Zdeno Chara & Wade Redden

Season Highlights

On June 8, 2004, Bryan Murray became the team’s 5th head coach, leaving the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim as GM. All NHL games during the 2004-05 season were cancelled due to the 2004-05 NHL lockout, which cancelled play for the entire league. The Senators made two blockbuster moves in the off-season, 1) the singing of playoff-experienced Dominik Hasek to replace Patrick Lalime and the 2nd) trading Marian Hossa and Greg de Vries to the Atlanta Thrashers for Dany Heatley.

2005-06 Senators Highlights

• Most games played: Dany Heatley, Peter Schaefer, Andrej Meszaros, Antoine Vermette and Chris Kelly all played 82 games.
• Top Scorer: Dany Heatley scored 50 goals.
• Top Helper: Jason Spezza registered 71 assists.
• Top Producer: Daniel Alfredsson and Dany Heatley recorded 103 points. Alfredsson completed his 103 points in 77 games while Healtey played all 82 games.
• Top PIM: Chris Neil had 204 penalty minutes in 79 games.
• Top Goalie: Dominik Hasek played 43 games for 2,584 mins with a result of 28-10-4 including 5 shutouts with a 2.098 GAA and .925 SV%.

Click Here For The 2005-06 Season Recap

---

by the numbers – jersey # 53

Check the By The Numbers page to see former players who proudly wore Senators jerseys and don’t forget to check our searchable table!

---

AROUND THE RINK

• Connor Bedard Watch: Forward faces Stutzle of Senators, Flyers
• Stolen Jagr bobbleheads have been found, will be distributed by Penguins

---

Subscribe Here