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Ottawa senators had to call for reinforcements on Monday.
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As they prepared to head to Boston to face the Bruins Tuesday night at TD Garden, general manager Pierre Dorion recalled the defender. Erik brannstrom together with the forwards Egor Sokolov and Scott sabourin with the club facing a COVID-19 outbreak that has left four players out.
After confirming Austin watson had COVID-19 Saturday before dropping a 5-3 decision to the Tampa Bay Lightning, the defender Nick holden joined the roster Sunday night with associate coach Jack Capuano. If that wasn’t enough, go ahead Connor brown and Dylan gambrell joined the group on Monday morning.
But, as the senators try to end a four-game losing streak against the Bruins, the senators needed to bring in help for this one. The club also has a veteran defense Michael Del Zotto, who was a healthy scratch against the Bolts, so there’s no guarantee Brannstrom will play, but it would be surprising if he didn’t.
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That won’t be determined until after Ottawa’s morning skating takes place Tuesday at the Garden, but given the chance, many believe it can help the blue line. The club has struggled defensively this season and Brannstrom is a strong record drive.
Brannstrom, 22, has one goal and three points in nine games for Belleville this season. He’s played well the last two games, which is why he got the call to Ottawa, but he’s struggled with consistency.
“Going there for him is just about him getting (playing time),” the coach said. Dj smith on a Zoom call before the senators left for Boston. “His thing is that he has to show that he can do it in the NHL and that he will have a chance here. We knew he would have a chance either way at any time (of the season) that was.
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“He was the only one who could come down because he didn’t require exemptions. He’s going to get the opportunity here and hopefully he performs in the way that he can. “
DEBUT FOR EGOR?
Many will be watching to see how Sokolov performs at this level.
The 21-year-old was rejected in the NHL draft twice, the Senators took him as a surplus player in the 2020 draft at 61st overall, and he had a solid training ground. Sokolov has two goals and six points in nine games with Belleville, so he has made his presence felt and is the kind of person you have to like.
He has great instincts on the net and has worked on his skating. It’s hard to predict what the lines and defensive pairings will look like because the Senators canceled their skating Monday before leaving. There is no pressure on Sokolov, he has time to adjust to this level.
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“It started (the camp) really well. He’s got power, the ability to get into the forecheck plus he can score goals and he’s big and strong, ”Smith said. “And as training camp went on, I thought he was getting a little fatigued and the NHL was a little too much. That is a lot like Drake Batherson looked at the same age.
“That’s why they go back to the AHL and then when they’re ready, they come back. This is a forced (memory) because I don’t think it will get up right away. Let’s see where he is, it might only be one, two or three games, but he’s a guy who can score. He is going to be a good player for a long time.
“We’re going to take our time with him and make sure when he gets here he’s okay, but in this situation we need him right now.”
OUT OF THE GLASS
With Connor brown put in place the COVID-19 protocol, it will end one of the longest streaks of games played among active players in the league. Senators Communications Coordinator Brett varey noted Monday Brown has prepared for 384 consecutive games, which is the fourth-longest streak in the league. Since the start of the 2016-17 season, Brown has played in every regular season game for both the Leafs and Ottawa. Florida Keith Yandle I s in 932, Phil Kessel Arizona is at 912 and the San Jose defender Brent burns has played 608 … The Bruins will not have a winger Nick Foligno back from injury in this against the senators. Coach Bruce cassidy told reporters on Monday that he will start as a substitute goalkeeper Jeremy Swayman. The 22-year-old Swayman is 2-2-0 in four games for the Bruins this season with a GAA of 2.28 and a .900 save percentage. Foligno came out with an upper body injury and participated in the club’s skate on Monday. He looked good and wants to play. “I think he’s looking forward to getting in, but I think the medical team is watching Thursday,” Cassidy said. “That will probably be a decision (on Tuesday) and how he will respond after a full practice today.”
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THE LAST WORDS
Smith told reporters that he had not determined his starter for this one against the Bruins.
The club had to make room in the squad due to COVID-19 problems and sent the goalkeeper Filip Gustavsson Returning to Belleville on Sunday so that is not an option.
The expectation is that it will be Matt Murray. He has a 5-2-0 career record against Boston with an average of 2.94 goals against and a .922 save percentage. He stopped 28 of 32 shots in the club’s loss to the Bolts.
The club has back-to-back matches on the weekend, so we’re likely to see Anton Forsberg in one of those if he doesn’t face the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday.
Reference-ottawasun.com