One more preseason game to go.Then the games start for real.
The Ottawa Senators play the sixth and final game of their preseason tonight as they visit the lowly and miserable Montreal Canadiens.
After tonight, they’ll have four more days to get ready for the regular season opener against Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals.
As the Sens enter their preseason finale, it sounds like there are still a couple key decisions to be made. That makes this last game an important one for five players in particular.
Up front, Logan Brown, Alex Formenton and Max McCormick continue to push for a spot. And with Derick Brassard now cleared for contact, it seems like there may only be one opening left.
On the blueline, it’s down to Thomas Chabot and Ben Harpur. Both players have looked solid in the preseason but their two way contracts mean that there may only be room for one to start the season. Erik Karlsson is closing in on a return too so again, there could be fewer spots than originally anticipated.
All five of the remaining bubble guys are expected to play tonight.
If you were placing a bet on a Canadian Gambling Site that offers both sports and casino action, you may want to go with Logan Brown and Thomas Chabot as the favourites at this point.
At least that’s the way Pierre Dorion made it seem during his press conference yesterday.
“This decision was a no brainer…an easy decision for all included.”
– GM Pierre Dorion discusses the Craig Anderson extension. pic.twitter.com/i8Qjy3kItD
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) September 29, 2017
The Senators are on the ice for a morning skate at 10:30 AM this morning so their exact line up won’t be known till then. Bobby Ryan is dealing with a minor groin injury and is not expected to play. One of Dion Phaneuf or Mark Borowiecki is also expected to sit.
A best guess based on yesterday’s practice.
Dzingel-Turris-Formenton
Smith-Brown-Stone
Hoffman-Pageau-Pyatt
McCormick-Thompson-Burrows
Borowiecki/Phaneuf-Chabot
Oduya-Claesson
Harpur-Wideman
The recently signed Craig Anderson is expected to start and play the full game.
Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:00 PM with the game available on TSN 5.
