Last night, a handful of roster locks and training camp hopefuls made a strong statement in the first game of the preseason.
Mike Hoffman, Mark Stone and Craig Anderson all looked like they were in mid-season form and bubble guys like Thomas Chabot and Christian Jaros looked more than comfortable as the Senators cruised to an easy 6-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The same two organizations meet in a rematch tonight but the line ups will look completely different.
After featuring a number of their top players last night, the Senators will go with a weaker line up in Toronto. Their “first” line is made up of two guys expected to play on the fourth line when the games start for real and the defence will be anchored by primarily third pairing options. It will certainly be a good test for the Senators as they look for a second straight win over their provincial rivals.
In particular, this is an important game for Logan Brown and Filip Chlapik. Heading into Camp, both guys were long-shots to get a serious look but an early rash of injuries has suddenly put them in the discussion for a spot on the team when the regular season opens in a couple weeks from now. Should be plenty of minutes to go around tonight too with most of the top forwards taking the night off.
Guy Boucher had the team on the ice for a brief game day skate earlier this morning and based on that, a best guess at Ottawa’s line up.
McCormick-Thompson-Pyatt
VandeVelde-Brown-DiDomenico
Batherson-Reinhart-Kelly
Formenton-Chlapik-Rodewald
Harpur-Borowiecki
Claesson-Wideman
Sieloff-Lajoie
Mike Condon gets the start in goal for Ottawa. He’s expected to split duties with either Andrew Hammond or Marcus Hogberg.
Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:30 PM. The game is available on TSN5.
-The organization gave some good news to one Training Camp invitee earlier this morning. Parker Kelly, who joined this year’s Camp as an undrafted prospect, has earned a three year entry level contract with the team. Kelly has spent the last two seasons with the Prince Albert Raiders of the WHL. He’ll make his preseason debut tonight, wearing number 45.
-Colin White looked like he was in bad shape when he left the ice late in yesterday’s preseason opener and today the organization confirmed the bad news. Colin White has a broken left wrist that will sideline him for the next 6-8 weeks. Obviously it’s a devastating turn of events for White who looked like he had a serious shot at landing a spot on the opening night roster. His absence could mean an opportunity for one of Logan Brown or Filip Chlapik to step up and make the team out of Camp.
#Sens GM Pierre Dorion provides an update on Colin White’s injury from last night’s game. pic.twitter.com/jadx6BM1x7
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) September 19, 2017
