Two preason games down and four to go.
In just over a week’s time, the Ottawa Senators will open their regular season on home ice against the Chicago Blackhawks. Tonight, they’ll play their third game of the preseason against the very same team.
Or something like that.
To say that the Chicago Blackhawks are icing a weak line up for this one would be a significant understatement. In fact, looking over their roster for tonight’s game, there are at least eight players that are completely made up. They have not one but two guys with the last name Sikura. Somebody named Luc Snuggerrud anchors the blueline. There’s a guy named Terry Broadhurst playing and I’m pretty sure he’s my neighbor.
Not to put too much stock in the result of a preseason game but if Ottawa loses to this roster, the team should and probably will be relocated.
On Ottawa’s side of things, the toughest decisions still lay ahead.
Yesterday, Guy Boucher split training camp into two separate groups, without any real surprises in who ended up where. Nick Paul, Gabriel Gagne and Andreas Englund are probably the three guys that were closest to joining the NHL group but in the case of all three, it’s no surprise that they’ll start the year in Belleville.
While Camp is divided into two separate groups, players from both sides will be in tonight’s line up.
Guy Boucher mentioned yesterday that his goal to have something close to his NHL roster by the end of this weekend. So it’s safe to say there are a few bubble guys that will have their last chance to make a good impression tonight. Among that group are both Alex Formenton and Drake Batherson who are both expected to play.
Here’s how the Senators are expected to line up for this one.
Dzingel-Duchene-Boedker
Forementon-Chlapik-Skille
Smith-Brown-Batherson
Kelly-Balisy-Sexton
Chabot-DeMelo
Harpur-Wideman
Englund-Burgdoerfer
Mike Condon and Filip “The Goose” Gustavsson are expected to split goaltending duties.
Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:30 PM. Game is on TSN5 and I reddit might be available online somewhere too?
