Thursday night was without a doubt, the biggest wins of the season.
It was a game the Sens had to win and they came through in a big way, beating the Boston Bruins, a team they have been chasing for the last month. If there was any doubt before, now we now know for sure- the Ottawa Senators are in a playoff race.
I’ll lay off the ‘biggest game of the year’ line for a night but that doesn’t in any way diminish the importance of tonight’s game. After closing the gap to two, the Senators have to keep pushing. The Bruins left the door open and it’s up to the Sens to kick the damn thing down. Boston also plays tonight in Florida.
And as god awful as the Leafs have been this season (seriously, they are the worst), you know they would love nothing more than to deliver a serious blow to the Senators playoff chances. The Leafs are coming off an embarrassing effort on home ice against the Sharks on Thursday so you would think they come out ready to play tonight.
Dave Cameron has his team on the ice for the morning skate and looks like he’ll roll with the same twelve forwards although he’s tinkered with the combinations a little bit. Mike Hoffman was demoted during the Bruins game and will stay on the fourth line to start.
Zack Smith is on a conditioning stint in Binghamton (he scored last night) and is closing in on a return but isn’t available yet. Meanwhile Colin Greening watches on from the pressbox again. No changes on the blueline which means Jared Cowen sits again.
Here’s how the Senators are expected to line up for this one.
Michalek-Turris-Stone
Puempel-Zibanejad-Ryan
Condra-Pageau-Lazar
Hoffman-Legwand-Chiasson
Methot-Karlsson
Wiercioch-Ceci
Borowiecki-Gryba
Andrew Hammond gets the start in the Ottawa goal. Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:00 PM.
Go. Sens. Go.
