The Ottawa Senators continue one of their toughest road trips of the season this afternoon in Los Angeles.
It’s a trip that has seen them take on both of last year’s Stanley Cup finalists in Pittsburgh and San Jose and it wraps up with a tough back to back afternoon games against two teams usually considered to be contenders in Los Angeles and Anaheim. The entire month of December is tough for the Senators but this week is without a doubt one of the most grueling of the season.
While the Kings have been a little inconsistent early in the 2016/2017 season, they’re still considered one of the top teams in the Western Conference, even if they haven’t played like it just yet.
They’re 18th in goals for and 12th in goals against. Not overly impressive. Their strength continues to be limiting scoring chances though as they sit in 1st in the league in shots against, allowing just 25.6 per game.
The two teams met back in Ottawa on November 11th with the Senators scoring twice in the third period, including a game winner from Mark Stone with just 6.5 seconds left. The shots were even at 33 that night.
On the Sens side of things, this afternoon’s game in Los Angeles marks a significant milestone for one of the most loyal and hardworking guys to wear the Ottawa uniform.
Chris Neil will play his 1000th game in the National Hockey League, all as an Ottawa Senator. He’s just the 53rd player in the history of the league to pass the 1000 game mark with one team. We talked a little bit about the achievement yesterday but it really is remarkable. It’s hard enough to play 1000 games with one team but to do it the way Chris Neil did, in the style that he did, is unprecedented.
You don’t have to love Chris Neil and I get that some Sens fans don’t. But you absolutely have to respect him.
Congratulations to Chris Neil on an incredible career to this point. He’s scoring a goal today, by the way.
The Sens should get a little boost tonight as Marc Methot is expected to return to the line up. The only other decision is whether Buddy Robinson or Phil Varone dresses on the fourth line. No morning skate but Boucher will meet with the media shortly after 1:00 PM.
Hoffman-Brassard-Stone
Dzingel-Turris-Ryan
Smith-Pageau-Pyatt
Varone/Robinson-Kelly-Neil
Methot-Karlsson
Phaneuf-Ceci
Borowiecki-Wideman
Mike Condon gets the start in the Ottawa goal. Puck drop is scheduled for just after 4:00 PM.
