The last time the Ottawa Senators stepped on home ice, it was in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.
After more than 270 days, the Sens finally return to the friendly confines of Scotiabank Place as they play their home opener in the 2013 season. There will be a couple familiar faces providing the opposition as Alex Kovalev, Filip Kuba and the rest of the Florida Panthers roll into town.
Florida comes into this one fresh off an impressive 5-1 win in their home opener against the Carolina Hurricanes. Brian Campbell scored twice for the Panthers and Alex Kovalev picked up three points.
You know Kovalev is going to want to put on a show against his old team tonight.
Not surprisingly, Paul MacLean will go with the same line up that scored a 4-1 decision in Winnipeg on Saturday afternoon. It’s going to be really important that the forward combinations find chemistry early in a shortened campaign so MacLean will also stick with the same forward combinations.
Here is how the Sens are expected to line up.
Michalek-Spezza-Silfverberg
Latendresse-Turris-Alfredsson
Greening-Smith-Neil
Regin-O'Brien-Condra.
Methot-Karlsson
Phillips-Gonchar
Wiercioch-Benoit
After a strong performance in the opener, Craig Anderson is back in goal for the Senators with Robin Lehner dressed as his back up. Jose Theodore is expected to get the start for Florida.
A friendly reminder for those of you that will be in attendance tonight. Considering the success we had with it last year, let’s try and bring back The Alfie Countdown for another season. It’s pretty simple- when the clock hits 11:11 each period, the crowd counts down from 10 and then follows it up with an Alfie chant!
I’m sure they’ll be some rust to shake off the first couple times but stick with it!
Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:30 PM with the game available on the Team 1200 and Rogers Sportsnet.
GO SENS GO!
