The Ottawa Senators don’t have a whole lot left to play for with 27 games left in their regular season.
Young players are playing for roster spots next season, free agents to be are playing for new contracts and for the rest of the team it’s about pride more than anything. Trying to salvage what’s left of a disappointing season in the Nation’s Capital.
Meanwhile for the fans it’s become a strange exercise in hoping for a good effort but not so strong an effort that it spoils a good draft pick in June. It’s a terrible way to cheer for a team but it’s the reality of the situation the Senators find themselves in with more than a quarter of their season still to play. But I think we can all agree that home ice wins over the Montreal Canadiens are always a good thing.
The Habs are enjoying another strong season, primarily on the back of a Hart-trophy type season from their goaltender Carey Price. The Habs currently sit atop the Atlantic Division but the reality is, without the outstanding play of Price, they would probably be a team fighting for their playoff lives.
Their MVP will get a rare night off tonight as Dustin Tokarski makes his 11th start of the season.
And with the Montreal Canadiens in town, it’s no surprise the Senators have turned to the notorious Hab Killer with their latest call-up. Jean Gabriel Pageau was brought back up from Binghamton and will centre a line with Curtis Lazar and Erik Condra. In his two games with the BSens, Pageau picked up three goals and four points, which made it pretty tough for the team not to bring him back up with the injury to Clarke MacArthur.
Matt Puempel would have been the other obvious options but the fact is, Pageau is consistently the best player on that Binghamton team during his AHL stints.
With MacArthur and Neil out, some young players will have an opportunity to take on an increased role during this next stretch of games. On defence, Patrick Wiercioch is a healthy scratch while Mark Borowiecki draws back into the line up. Here’s how Dave Cameron has his team lined up at the morning skate.
Hoffman-Zibanejad-Ryan
Michalek-Turris-Stone
Prince-Legwand-Chiasson
Lazar-Pageau-Condra
Methot-Karlsson
Cowen-Ceci
Borowiecki-Gryba
Andrew Hammond makes his first career start in the Ottawa goal. Chris Driedger has been recalled from the ECHL and will dress as his back up. Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:00 PM.
