Desperate for a win, the Ottawa Senators welcome one of the National Hockey League’s best teams to the Canadian Tire Centre tonight.
The St. Louis Blues have been among the league’s elite teams through the first 30 games of the season, posting an impressive 22-6-3 record including a 9-4-1 record on the road. The Blues have been scoring goals at will this season, sitting second in goals for behind only the league leading Chicago Blackhawks. They don’t really allow a whole lot either, sitting 8th in goals against. What I’m trying to tell you here is the Blues are really, really good.
The Western Conference has absolutely demolished the Eastern Conference this year in head to head match ups- a pain the Senators know all too well. Ottawa is 1-9-4 against the West so far this season. To come away with a win against the Blues, the Senators will need to be at their absolute best.
Looks like just one change for the Senators as Jared Cowen is ready to return to the Ottawa blueline. Cody Ceci was called up on an emergency basis when Cowen and Methot were unavailable but he will stay in the line up. Ceci has been pretty impressive in his first two NHL games and has earned another game. As Steve Lloyd points out, they may need to change his status from emergency recall so he can play tonight. Here is how the Senators are expected to line up for this one
MacArthur-Spezza-Condra
Conacher-Turris-Ryan
Michalek-Smith-Zibanejad
Greening-Pageau-Neil
Cowen-Karlsson
Wiercioch-Corvo
Phillips-Ceci
Robin Lehner makes the start for the Senators. Anderson was pulled early against the Kings and has struggled badly so far this season. If Lehner can get hot, I think MacLean would be willing to run with him for a little bit. The Blues will counter with a familiar face in Brian Elliott. Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:30 PM with plenty of great tickets still available. The Blues alone are worth the price of admission.
- -It’s not hockey related but good luck to the newest CFL team, the Ottawa REDBLACKS as they make their selections in today’s expansion draft. While I’m not quite ready to start up REDBLACKSChirp, I am excited for the return of football to the area. Will be interesting to see who they snag in today’s draft. You can watch a live stream of their selections beginning at 11:00 AM right here.
