Webster’s Dictionary defines preseason as a period of time immediately preceding a season. They go on to suggest that it is especially a training period preceding a sport’s regular season in which teams compete in unofficial games.
Yes, that makes sense.
The Ottawa Senators continue their training period with another unofficial game tonight against the Winnipeg Jets.
With the start of the regular season now just six days away, the Sens have entered the “ramping up” portion of the proceedings. With just tonight and Saturday left on their preseason schedule, it’s clear that DJ Smith wants to use the remaining games to ensure something close to the Opening Night lineup can get some final reps in.
That is difficult when the team is still down two centres in Josh Norris and Shane Pinto but they’ll do the best they can.
The good news is Norris was on the ice today in Winnipeg in a normal jersey so that setback we heard about yesterday clearly wasn’t a major thing. It sure would be nice to see him play in a competitive hockey game at some point.
Meanwhile, it’s status quo on Shane Pinto. It doesn’t sound like there’s much negotiating needed at this stage but the Senators do need to find a way to make it work under the salary cap. Any day now.
Here’s how the Senators are expected to arrange themselves this evening in Winnipeg. Roby Jarventie, Josh Norris, Zack MacEwen, Drake Batherson and Boko Imama are among the players expected to sit this one out.
Tkachuk-Stützle- Giroux
Joseph-Greig- Tarasenko
Kubalik-Chartier-Bailey
Smejkal-Kastelic-Kelly
Sanderson-Zub
Chabot-Chychrun
Brannstrom-Hamonic
Anton Forsberg gets the start in goal.
Puck drop is scheduled for 8:00 PM in Winnipeg and the game is available on TSN5, TSN3 and on the radio at TSN1200.
