Rookie Sensation Matthew Schaefer Challenges Senators as Islanders Head to Ottawa Saturday
The Ottawa Senators are set to face the New York Islanders on Saturday afternoon at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa. The match begins at 3 pm ET and will be broadcast on TSN 5 and RDS.
Recent Performance
Both teams ended recent three-game losing streaks. The Senators (2-3) secured a narrow 4-3 victory against the Seattle Kraken, thanks to Linus Ullmark’s impressive 30 saves. Meanwhile, the Islanders (1-3) won their first game of the season, defeating the Edmonton Oilers 4-2, propelled by a hat trick from Bo Horvat.
Goalies to Watch
Saturday’s matchup features goaltender Ilya Sorokin for the Islanders, who historically has performed well against the Senators, boasting a record of 4-0-1 along with a 1.97 GAA and .942 save percentage. However, this season, Sorokin struggles with an 0-3-0 record and a 4.18 GAA. Ottawa is likely to stick with Ullmark in goal.
Matthew Schaefer: Rookie Sensation
First overall draft pick Matthew Schaefer is making waves in his NHL debut season. The 18-year-old defenseman has already recorded four points in four games and leads all Islanders’ defensemen with an average ice time of 21:53. This game marks Schaefer’s return to Ottawa, where he previously suffered a collarbone injury during the World Juniors.
Homecoming for J.G. Pageau
Another notable story is J.G. Pageau, who returns to Ottawa as a member of the Islanders. The former Senators fan favorite is in the final year of a six-year, $30 million deal. There are trade rumors surrounding him this season, depending on the Islanders’ performance.
Key Players
- Shane Pinto (Senators) – The 24-year-old center has scored six goals in his first five games, leading the Senators in scoring at a crucial time as he seeks a new contract.
- Bo Horvat (Islanders) – With a hat trick in the last game, Horvat is a crucial offensive player for New York.
Challenges Ahead
The Senators are currently dealing with a struggling penalty kill, which ranks as one of the worst in the league. A change in their strategy may be necessary as they navigate this season.
Projected Lineups
| Ottawa Senators | New York Islanders |
|---|---|
| Ridly Greig – Tim Stützle – Claude Giroux | Anthony Duclair – Mathew Barzal – Kyle Palmieri |
| Michael Amadio – Shane Pinto – Fabian Zetterlund | Jonathan Drouin – Bo Horvat – Emil Heineman |
| David Perron – Dylan Cozens – Drake Batherson | Anders Lee – Jean-Gabriel Pageau – Maxim Shabanov |
| Nick Cousins – Lars Eller – Arthur Kaliyev | Simon Holmstrom – Casey Cizikas – Kyle MacLean |
| Jake Sanderson – Artem Zub | Matthew Schaefer – Scott Mayfield |
| Thomas Chabot – Nick Jensen | Adam Pelech – Ryan Pulock |
| Tyler Kleven – Jordan Spence | Alexander Romanov – Tony DeAngelo |
| Linus Ullmark | Ilya Sorokin |
Fans can enjoy an Oktoberfest-themed event starting at noon before the game, with special items available for purchase to support local charities. The Senators look to continue building momentum as the season unfolds.
