The Ottawa Senators are talking about slowing down Connor McDavid and stepping up defensive play ahead of the matchup against the Oilers

The Ottawa Senators are the latest team tasked with slowing down Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid as the teams meet Tuesday night in Ottawa.

McDavid has had a slow start to this season by his standards after scoring seven goals and 21 in 16 games. However, the five-time Art Ross Trophy winner has scored 11 points in his last five games.

Ahead of tonight’s matchup, the Sens discussed ways to limit McDavid.

“I think he’s just so smart and obviously his skating is hard to stop. But I think him and Leon (Draisaitl) together, that’s when it gets scary,” forward Tim Stutzle told reporters Tuesday. “They’re so good together. They have been together for a long time, they are both so talented.”

“I think everybody’s trying to figure it out. We wish we could say we know how to defend it, but he’s the best player in the NHL for a reason,” defenseman Thomas Chabot added.

Head coach Travis Green said it’s his responsibility to come up with a game plan to stop the Oilers’ superstar duo of McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

“It’s a hot topic every night in the NHL. It’s nothing new for Edmonton, it’s nothing new for the rest of the league,” Green said. “When you play and they have two elite players, sometimes they’re on the same line, sometimes they’re not. Obviously there’s a game plan that every team comes with, but there’s no getting away either from your game plan and what makes your entire team successful.”

The Senators enter Tuesday’s game on a two-game losing streak, having dropped games to the Carolina Hurricanes and Philadelphia Flyers. Ottawa has struggled defensively during the mini-slide, allowing nine goals in that span.

Linus Ullmark allowed five goals on 19 shots against the Flyers, while Anton Forsberg has given up six goals on 51 shots over his past two starts. Chabot says the team has confidence in their goaltenders and it’s up to the Skaters to make life easier for their netminders.

“I’m not worried. Guys work their bags off every single day. For us as a group, it’s about improving our defensive game and making it as easy as possible for our goalies,” Chabot said. “We have two very good goalkeepers and we are confident in what they can do.”

Tonight marks the start of a four-game homestand for the Sens, including matchups against the Oilers, Vegas Golden Knights, Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames.

The Oilers are coming off a 3-0 loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Monday night and will play the second half of a back-to-back tonight before returning home for Thursday’s game against the Minnesota Wild.