Twenty-four hours after a strong effort came up short under the bright lights of Broadway, the Ottawa Senators return home to take on their provincial rivals, the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Battle of Ontario always makes for a lively night in the stands but it’s tough to remember a game with less meaning on the ice.
Even the most dedicated members of the “Pro-tank” crowd can agree that when it comes to a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, especially on home ice, a win is always nice. Although I’m sure they’re a little conflicted on this one because the free-falling Maple Leafs currently sit just two points ahead of Ottawa in the East.
Neither team has much of a shot at the playoffs this year though. Leafs are 9 points out and the Senators, 11. Not exactly the highest of stakes tonight at the Canadian Tire Centre.
The Senators will shuffle the deck a little bit in the back to back situation. No morning skate so the line combinations remain a bit of a mystery but we do know that Curtis Lazar will return. Cameron said he was still finalizing the line up when he spoke to the media this morning. Chris Neil, David Legwand and Alex Chiasson all seem like candidates to be scratched but we’ll have to wait and see.
(UPDATE 6:48 PM)- Looks like Legwand and Phillips will sit out
MacArthur-Turris-Stone
Hoffman-Zibanejad-Ryan
Michalek-Pageau-Chiasson
Condra-Lazar-Neil
Methot-Karlsson
Cowen-Ceci
Wiercioch-Gryba
A bit of a surprise but Cameron also indicated that Craig Anderson will get the start in the Ottawa goal. Coaches usually like to split the duties in a back to back situation but not tonight, apparently. Lehner has struggled recently which led Cameron to suggest he’s tempted to let Anderson run with it for a little bit. The Senators have a week off after tonight’s game.
Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:00 PM with the game available on Sportsnet.
