The Senators will turn to Merilainen between the pipes for the fourth time in their last five games. The 22-year-old netminder was outstanding in his previous outing, saving 30 of 31 shots (.968 SV%) in a 3-1 win over the Minnesota Wild. He has a 2.68 GAA and .900 SV% in three games this season (2-1-0). The Senators enter Thursday's contest as +158 road underdogs against a Dallas Stars club outscoring their opposition 9-3 during a two-game winning streak.
Ottawa Senators News
The Senators will likely turn to Merilainen between the pipes for the fourth time in their last five games. The 22-year-old netminder was outstanding in his previous outing, saving 30 of 31 shots (.968 SV%) in a 3-1 win over the Minnesota Wild. He has a 2.68 GAA and .900 SV% in three games this season (2-1-0). The Senators enter Thursday's contest as +158 road underdogs against a Dallas Stars club outscoring their opposition 9-3 during a two-game winning streak.
Zub has missed the last 16-games with a foot injury, in addition to nine games be missed earlier this season due to a concussion. The 29-year-old hard-hitting defenseman has battled injuries the last two seasons, limited to 53 and 69 games respectively.
Amadio did not play in Ottawa's most recent game and is expected to miss some time. The 28-year-old Amadio is averaging 14:09 time-on-ice, recording 10 points (2G / 8A) and 35 hits in 33 games.
The Linus Ullmark (upper body) also sidelined from Friday's practice, Ottawa has recalled Mads Sogaard and Leevi Merilainen from Belleville (AHL). The 32-year-old Forsberg has a 2.95 GAA and .889 SV% in 11 games this season (4-6-0).
Ullmark suffered an upper-body injury in the team's final game before the holiday break, exiting the contest after one period. The 31-year-old Ullmark was finally starting to play to his potential, posting an exquisite .954 SV% in nine games (8-0-1) before his injury. Ottawa has recalled goalies Mads Sogaard and Leevi Meilainen from the Belleville Senators (AHL), which is likely a sign that Ullmark's injury will keep him out of the lineup. Ullmark will not travel on Ottawa's upcoming road trip.
Ostapchuk has been a lineup-regular for Ottawa lately, but regularly been a part of paper transactions, sending him down tot Belleville (AHL) for salary cap reasons. The 21-year-old Ostapchuk has played 14 consecutive games for Ottawa, recording two points (0G / 2A).
Ottawa has recalled goalies Mads Sogaard and Leevi Meilainen from the Belleville Senators (AHL), which is likely a sign that Linus Ullmark's injury will keep him out of the lineup. Ullmark suffered an upper-body injury in the team's final game before the holiday break, exiting the contest after one period.
Ottawa has recalled goalies Mads Sogaard and Leevi Meilainen from the Belleville Senators (AHL), which is likely a sign that Linus Ullmark's injury will keep him out of the lineup. Ullmark suffered an upper-body injury in the team's final game before the holiday break, exiting the contest after one period.
The red-hot Senators are riding a season-best four-game winning streak and will roll with Ullmark for a fifth consecutive contest on Thursday against the Calgary Flames. After starting the season with an ugly .881 SV% in his first 13 outings (4-7-1), Ullmark has been tremendous, allowing three or fewer goals in eight straight (7-0-1) and posting a sublime .956 SV%. The Senators enter Thursday's contest as -125 road favorites against a Flames club coming off a 4-3 overtime loss to the Boston Bruins.