Maybe a little time away from home is just what the Ottawa Senators need.
After a disappointing yet maybe not so surprising loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday night, the Senators have now hit the road for their first lengthy road trip of the season. They’ll play their next three away from the Canadian Tire Centre over the span of the next six days.
Up first- a date with the surprisingly competent Vancouver Canucks.
I don’t think many people knew what to expect from this year’s Canucks but it’s safe to say nobody was predicting they’d be hovering around the top of the Western Conference at any point this year. The Canucks have got off to a good start though, going 4-1-1 through their first six games and allowing just 14 goals along the way. There are some early warning signs the hot start might not be sustainable for this Vancouver team though as they sit 29th in the league in shots per game. They aren’t generating a whole lot but so far, not giving up much either.
Should be a good test for the Senators.
Guy Boucher has hit the ol’ reset button on his forward combinations after a quite offensive night vs. Tampa Bay. Based on yesterday’s practice in Vancouver, it looks like there will be changes to all four lines ahead of this one. No healthy scratch up front since the Sens are carrying just 12 forwards on this road trip. Thomas Chabot appears to be the odd man out on the back end.
Here’s how they’re expected to line up for this one.
Hoffman-Turris-Pyatt
Dzingel-Brassard-Ryan
Smith-Pageau-Stone
Puempel-Kelly-Neil
Methot-Karlsson
Phaneuf-Ceci
Borowiecki-Wideman
Craig Anderson is expected to get the start in the Ottawa goal. Puck drop isn’t till 10:00 PM on the East coast so make sure you get a couple quick naps in during the work day.
-After sending Phil Varone down yesterday, some thought the Senators might be paving the way for a Curtis Lazar call up but apparently not. Instead, they’ll carry just 12 forwards on this Western Trip. It’s a little bit risky should an injury occur but I guess they’re thinking they can always fall back on the 11/7 alignment if a forward can’t play. More time in the AHL is not a bad thing for Lazar.
-Pleasant surprise at practice yesterday as Clarke MacArthur joined his teammates for part of the skate and in full equipment. He wasn’t taking part in any drills but just the fact that he’s able to be out there already is a great sign. Still no timeline for his return.
