Through the first nine games of the season, it’s pretty safe to say the Ottawa Senators have been a pleasant surprise.
They haven’t been perfect by any means but there have been noticeable improvements in their neutral zone play, their defensive structure and the special teams seem to be trending in the right direction. Their 6-3-0 record has them sitting third in the Atlantic Division.
And now the Senators have a chance to get on a bit of a roll on home ice. They kicked off the three game homestand with an overtime victory over the Carolina Hurricanes and they’ll look to build off that tonight against the Vancouver Canucks.
The Canucks got off to a bit of a surprising start but have stumbled recently. Goals have been hard to come by for Vancouver as they sit dead last in the league averaging just 1.6 goals per game. Pretty tough to win with that kind of offence. They played last night in Montreal and despite have a significant edge on the shot clock, ended up on the wrong end of a 3-0 final.
A quick start will be key against what must be a frustrated team.
The Senators will be without a couple important pieces for this one. Max McCormick was called up this morning and is expected to draw in for Mark Stone. Stone left the game the other night against the Hurricanes and while the team suggested the injury was minor, it seems like it’s enough to keep him out of the lineup tonight. Freddy Claesson was also recalled and apparently might play. Guy Boucher mentioned that a couple defenceman are banged up right now.
There will be a change in goal too as the red-hot Craig Anderson wasn’t on the ice this morning and has left to be with his wife, Nicholle Anderson. The Senators knew this was going to be an important week for the Anderson Family so the news won’t come as a surprise. Goes without saying at this point but all the best to Nicholle and the Anderson family during an incredibly difficult time.
No line combinations available from the morning skate but a best guess at how Guy Boucher will line them up.
Hoffman-Turris-Pyatt
Dzingel-Brassard-Ryan
Smith-Pageau-Puempel
McCormick-Kelly-Neil
Methot-Karlsson
Phaneuf-Ceci
Borowiecki-Wideman
Mike Condon, who was acquired in a trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins yesterday, gets the start in the Ottawa goal. Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:30 PM.
