Game Day- Turris Returns to Ottawa

SensChirp February 8, 2018 1,563
Game Day- Turris Returns to Ottawa

Welcome back, Kyle.

For the first time since November’s blockbuster trade, Kyle Turris is returning to Ottawa.  Only this time, he does so as a member of the Nashville Predators- one of the best team’s in the Western Conference and a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.

All eyes will be on Turris tonight as he plays his first game in the city where he completed his transformation from a high-potential kid with a bit of an attitude problem to a fan favourite, and one of the most respected players in the league.  Respected not only for his strong two-way play and tendency to score the big goal but also for his commitment to important causes away from the rink.

Turris played parts of seven seasons with the Senators, suiting up for 407 regular season games and another 42 in the post-season.  He racked up 274 points in those regular season games and among his 12 post-season goals are some of the most memorable goals in franchise history.

Yet for all he did on the ice, it was his tireless efforts away from the rink that always stood out.

Both Kyle and his wife Julie did truly loved being part of the Ottawa community. Their commitment to the Capital City Condors was a big reason why they loved the city so much and it remains a huge part of the Turris legacy in Ottawa.

Between 60 and 70 members of the Condors will be at the rink for tonight’s game.

As you’d expect, Kyle’s return means a lot of people will take the opportunity to revisit the trade that sent him to Nashville and by extension, compare Turris to the key piece that landed here in Ottawa- Matt Duchene.

Whether it’s fair to compare the two, the match-up comes at good time for Duchene.

He has clearly been Ottawa’s best forward of late, racking up 14 points in his last 14 games.  Turris has just four points over that same span.  In a recent interview with The Athletic, Duchene said that he feels like he’s playing some of the best hockey of his career the last month or so.  And he’s taken on a leadership role too, playing a mentor role of sorts to both Thomas Chabot and Colin White.  He’s also settling into his role of fan favourite here in Ottawa.

Determining a winner and a loser in the trade isn’t easy but it’s clear that both Nashville and Ottawa landed terrific hockey players and just as importantly, good people.

Oh and also, there’s a hockey game tonight.

No Mark Stone again tonight. Same goes for Derick Brassard, Bobby Ryan, Nate Thompson and Gabriel Dumont.  Alex Burrows is out too, fresh-off last night’s fairly extreme 10 game suspension.  Mike Blunden has been recalled from Belleville and he is expected to play tonight.  Sounds like the Senators will go with 11/7 again.

A best guess at tonight’s line up.

Hoffman-Duchene-White
Dzingel-Smith-DiDomenico
Paajarvi-Pageau-Pyatt
McCormick-Blunden

Chabot-Karlsson
Phaneuf-Ceci
Claesson-Borowiecki/Oduya

Craig Anderson gets the start in goal for Ottawa. Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:30 PM.

-A reminder that tonight is Mental Health Awareness Night at the rink.  The Ottawa Senators Foundation, in partnership with the Ottawa Senators is hosting Hockey Talks/Do It For Daron (DIFD) which is aimed at raising mental health awareness through a variety of outlets, including in-arena messaging, online storytelling, and sharing information and experiences.