Talbot allowed three goals on 29 shots (.897 SV%) for his third loss in five games as he was beaten by the Carolina Hurricanes in his last start. The 35-year-old has had an injury-filled first year in Ottawa, which has led to his 12-14-1 record, 2.90 GAA and .905 SV%. He will face the red-hot Detroit Red Wings, who have won 8 of their last 10 contests after dropping their last game 3-0 to Tampa Bay.
Talbot last took the crease on January 25th due to a lower-body injury but was perfect in that start, stopping all 14 of 14 New York Islander shots for the win. The 35-year-old's first season in Ottawa has not gone as planned, as shown by his 12-13-1 record, 2.90 GAA and .905 SV%. He will face one of the NHLs hottest teams in Carolina, who have won their last four games after a 4-1 win over St. Louis.
Sanderson last played on February 11th due to an upper-body injury and has been activated off the injured reserve Thursday. The 20-year-old rookie has three goals, 18 assists, 85 SOG, six PIMs and a -3 plus/minus through 51 games prior to his injury.
Gauthier was dealt to Ottawa Sunday alongside a seventh-round pick for Tyler Motte from the New York Rangers and will make his Senators' debut Monday. The 25-year-old had six goals, three assists, 36 SOG, four PIMs and a -5 plus/minus through 40 games with the Rangers this season.
Brassard has eight goals, seven assists, 73 SOG, 24 PIMs and a -1 plus/minus through 44 games this season but will be a healthy scratch Monday vs. Boston. He heads to the press box as the newly acquired winger, Julien Gauthier takes his spot in the Senators' lineup. Brassard is five games off of reaching 1000 on his career.
Mandolese was incredible in his only career start, breaking a Senator's record with 46 saves (.958 SV%) in a win over the New York Islanders his last time out. The 22-year-old will be hoping for some similar success in his second start as he currently holds a 1.85 GAA and .958 SV%. He faces an incredibly tough challenge in the Boston Bruins Monday, who have the best record in the NHL and have won their last three games after a 6-2 win over the Islanders last game.
Brassard was a healthy scratch for the Senators' previous game but will draw back into the lineup as a replacement for Austin Watson (illness) Friday. The 35-year-old journeyman has eight goals, five assists, 70 SOG, and 22 PIMs through 42 games this season. He is seven games away from reaching his 1000th career game.
Watson has four goals, two assists, 52 SOG, 56 PIMs and a -11 plus/minus through 50 games this season but will miss Friday's game vs. Chicago due to illness. He will hope to be back in the lineup soon to break his current 12-game pointless drought.
Sanderson is set to miss his third straight game on Friday, and he's expected to be out until the Senators' back-to-back vs. the Red Wings on February 27th/28th. The 20-year-old has three goals, 21 points and a -3 plus/minus across 51 games in his rookie campaign.
Sogaard won his first start of the season after stopping 34 of 37 shots (.919 SV%) in a victory over Calgary his last time out. He'll face the Chicago Blackhawks, who have lost three straight games and are not much of an offensive threat as they are currently last in the NHL in goals per game (2.4) and second last in shots (26.7).
Holden has a goal, nine assists, 52 SOG, 10 PIMs and a -4 plus/minus through 47 games played but has been placed on the injured reserve Thursday with an upper-body injury. The 35-year-old has failed to reach 80 games played in his last seven seasons.
