Gardiner assisted on one of rookie center Auston Matthew's four goals in a 5-4 loss to the Senators on Wednesday. He also recorded two hits in 21:41 of ice time.

EDGE Analysis

Last season, Gardiner recorded 31 points (seven goals, 24 assists) in 79 games. The 26-year-old looks to build on that campaign in a top-four role this season. Gardiner has averaged at least two minutes per game on the power play the past four seasons, and 3:47 in the opener Wednesday.