After another disappointing loss in their first game back from the All Star break, reality is starting to set in for the Ottawa Senators.
Bryan Murray has talked about wanting to add a piece leading up to the deadline but he also knows that the playoffs are a pipe dream at this point. They’ll take on a fellow basement dweller in the Arizona Coyotes this afternoon at the Canadian Tire Centre.
Craig Anderson was placed on the injured reserve list yesterday and there are still no timelines being provided on his injury. Any prolonged absence for the team’s MVP this season will certainly have fans looking down in the standings instead of up. And even with Anderson in the line up, that’s the way things are trending right now.
The Senators head into this afternoon’s game trailing the Rangers by 11 points for the final playoff spot. They may want to start that 10 game winning streak sometime soon.
Dave Cameron is expected to make a couple changes to his lineup heading into this one. David Legwand draws back in while Alex Chiasson misses the game due to injury. Legwand’s return means more line juggling among the forwards. Cameron will also make a change on the blueline as Mark Borowiecki returns. Sounds like he’ll play the right side, taking Eric Gryba’s spot in the line up.
Here’s how the Senators are expected to line up for this one.
MacArthur-Zibanejad-Ryan
Hoffman-Turris-Lazar
Michalek-Legwand-Stone
Condra-Pageau-Neil
Methot-Karlsson
Cowen-Ceci
Phillips-Borowiecki
Robin Lehner gets the start in the Ottawa goal. Puck drop is scheduled for just after 3:00 PM.
