The loss against the Boston Bruins the other night at the Canadian Tire Centre was certainly the most devastating of the season for the Ottawa Senators.
They had a chance to put some serious pressure on the Bruins for that final Wild Card spot but the puck just didn’t bounce their way and they ended up on the wrong end of a 3-1 final. It was a devastating result but if we’ve learned anything about this team the last month or so it’s that we would be foolish to count them out.
Seven points is a sizable gap but with another game against the Bruins coming up next week, the Senators still have a chance to make a push. But that can only happen if they rack up some points over the next four games while getting a favour or two from the out of town scoreboard. A win in Montreal combined with a Tampa Bay win in Boston would put the Senators right back to where they were prior to the Boston game. So ya, it ain’t over yet.
This goalie debate is unfortunately taking away from what has been a magical run for the Senators. I’ve been critical of both sides so maybe I’ll just clarify where I stand on the issue because you know, everyone else has.
Dave Cameron was right to start Anderson in the last two games against Calgary and Boston. Hot streak aside, Craig Anderson is, over the course of his career, better at being a goalie than Andrew Hammond. That’s not to diminish what Hammond has done because obviously he’s been spectacular when given the chance. Yes, they lost one of the games Anderson started but it had nothing to do with goaltending. Now, they have back to back games coming up and the two goalies should split those starts. Order doesn’t really matter. Tonight it will be Hammond. Tomorrow it should probably be Anderson.
And actually, the goalie doesn’t make much of a difference if they are only going to score one goal.
Based on the combinations at the morning skate, no changes expected up front which means Colin Greening is the healthy scratch. One change on the blueline though as Jared Cowen draws in for Eric Gryba. Lars Eller breathes a sigh of relief. Here’s how Cameron lined his team up at the morning skate.
Hoffman-Zibanejad-Ryan
Michalek-Turris-Stone
Condra-Pageau-Lazar
Puempel-Legwand-Chiasson
Methot-Karlsson
Wiercioch-Ceci
Cowen-Borowiecki
As mentioned above, Andrew Hammond gets the start in the Ottawa goal. Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:30 PM with the game available on TSN5.
