After two day break between games, the Ottawa Senators are back at it as they host Taylor Hall and the New Jersey Devils at the Canadian Tire Centre tonight.
It’s the first game in another weekend back to back for the Senators as they’ll fly out right after this one and play the last place New York Islanders in Brooklyn tomorrow night.
The New Jersey Devils have had a bit of an up and down start to their season. While they’ve been a dominant team on home ice, going 8-1-2, they’ve struggled badly on the road, posting a 4-10-4 record. They’re ranked 23rd in goals for, 23rd in goals against and their power play is ranked…23rd.
The New Jersey offence is led by Travis Zajac and off-season trade acquisition Taylor Hall, who has 8 goals and 20 points in 21 games this season. Good news- a quick scan of the Devils line up shows that everyone expected to play has already scored their first goal in the NHL.
Because they play in the ridiculously competitive Metropolitan Division, the Devils are already 11 points out of a playoff spot but only five points back of the Senators.
Guy Boucher will be forced to make a couple changes to his line up ahead of this one. Mark Borowiecki has served his two games suspension and is ready to return to third pairing duties. That means Ben Harpur comes out.
Mike Hoffman was suspended two games for his cross-check on Logan Couture and will miss this weekend’s back to back. Casey Bailey, the leading scoring in Binghamton, has been recalled to take his spot in the line up.
Just an optional morning skate today but a best guess at how the Senators will line up for this one.
Smith-Brassard-Stone
Dzingel-Turris-Ryan
Pyatt-Pageau-Lazar
Bailey-Kelly-Neil
Methot-Karlsson
Phaneuf-Ceci
Borowiecki-Wideman
Mike Condon gets the start in the Ottawa goal. Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:00 PM.
