Hmm that’s strange. I don’t feel any richer.
After yesterday’s announcement, I was sort of expecting to wake up to an over-sized novelty cheque on my doorstep courtesy of the good folks at The Nation Network but no sign of it yet. Oh well.
The Ottawa Senators continue their California road trip tonight with a stop in Anaheim.
The concept of tanking has always seemed so strange to me. The idea of sitting there, watching the game and cheering for losses made no sense. Actively hope for the other team to get the two points? Nah, that’s not me.
Yea, about that.
These next two games- first in Anaheim and then tomorrow night against the Los Angeles Kings are without a doubt, the two biggest games of the season. The out of town scoreboard has come through in a big way the last Jim little while and now it’s time for the Sens to do their part.
Heading into tonight’s action, the Senators sit in 30th place overall. Basically the best case scenario. The Los Angeles Kings have reeled off six straight wins and are now tied with Ottawa at 62 points. Just one back of the San Jose Sharks.
Meanwhile tonight’s opponent, is just two up on San Jose. This is officially a must-lose situation. No loser points either. And actually, I don’t even need a hard-fought entertaining game. Make it by five or six, to be safe.
So like in 2007, the Sens should just let the Ducks have this one.
Hmm still too soon.
The Senators got off to a good start on this California road trip but now it’s time to go full Toronto Maple Leaf and just mail it in in Cali the rest of the way.
That’s better.
No game day skate for the Senators today and with the late start, we won’t know the exact line up until a couple hours before game time.
This is perfect because it will allow the Sens to add DJ Smith on the blue line, Jack Capuano, Davis Payne and those two TSN1200 contest winners up front, and Pierre Groulx in net without anyone really noticing.
A best guess based on yesterday’s practice.
Tkachuk-White-Ryan
Balcers-Tierney-Brown
Duclair-Paul-Hawryluk
Boedker-Peca-Sabourin
Chabot-Hainsey
Reilly-Zaitsev
Wolanin-Englund
No word on a starting goalie yet but it is expected that Craig Anderson and Marcus Hogberg will split the back to back.
Puck drop is scheduled for just after 10:00 PM with the game available on TSN5 and RDS. Not saying you have permission to skip this game but if you want to watch it in bed, with the lights off and your TV/radio/streaming device off too, with your eyes closed…that’s okay.
Here’s a closer look at tonight’s match-up.
| HEAD2HEAD |  |
 |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 25-32-12 (62 pts) | 28-32-9 (65 pts) |
| Goals For | 2.70 (24th) | 2.54 (29th) |
| Goals Against | 3.33 (30th) | 3.17 (T-25th) |
| Power Play | 14.7% (29th) | 13.8% (31st) |
| Penalty Kill | 76.9% (26th) | 76.7% (27th) |
| Shots For | 30.5 (24th) | 29.9 (27th) |
| Shots Against | 33.8 (29th) | 31.9 (20th) |
| Leading Scorers | Brown- 42 pts Tkachuk- 41 pts Duclair- 40 pts |
Getzlaf- 42 pts Henrique- 40 pts Rakell- 40 pts |
| Starting Goalie | Marcus Hogberg | Ryan Miller 8-6-4 3.1 GAA, .904 sv% |
