Less than 24 hours after dropping a disappointing yet hard-fought decision in Pittsburgh, the Ottawa Senators are right back at it against another one of the NHL’s elite teams.
The St. Louis Blues currently sit third in the powerful Western Conference. Their 37-12-5 record has them just three points behind the second place Blackhawks and six behind the league leading Ducks, but they’ve played four less games than each of those teams. They have a downright frightening 20-5-2 record on home ice too.
The Senators will take some consolation in the fact that they beat this Blues team back in Ottawa on December 16th. Ottawa was at its absolute best that night and will need to be again to have any shot in what really is a grueling back to back.
Optional morning skate for the Senators this morning so the line combinations will be a bit of a mystery until game time. What we do know is that MacLean will go with the same 18 skaters. Clarke MacArthur left the game in the third period last night but will play. Mark Stone, Matt Kassian and Joe Corvo are the scratches. Expect that Stone will be able to return to the line up on Thursday.
MacArthur-Turris-Ryan
Michalek-Spezza-Zibanejad
Greening-Smith-Neil
Conacher-Da Costa-Condra
Cowen-Karlsson
Methot-Gryba
Wiercioch-Ceci
Robin Lehner makes his third start in 2014. He blanked the Minnesota Wild back on January 14th and had a rough outing last time out, allowing five goals against Carolina on January 25th. Jaro Halak starts for St. Louis. Puck drop is scheduled for just after 8:00 PM.
