That win over the Kings on Saturday afternoon gave the Ottawa Senators a much needed boost.
After ugly losses in Washington and Anaheim, Ottawa’s season seemed to be in a bit of a free-fall. Sure the playoffs were still within reach but the on-ice performance suggested that this could be a team out of the race by the end of February. They were down 3-1 to the Kings and really hadn’t shown any signs of life.
And then Bobby Ryan scored. And then Pageau tied the game 20 seconds later. A goal by Zibanejad put the Sens in front and Mark Borowiecki added the icing on the cake.
In a season full of ups and downs, the comeback win over the Los Angeles Kings has to be considered a high point and certainly seems like the kind of effort the Sens can build on as they try to string together a stretch of decent hockey.
Next up- the San Jose Sharks. Ottawa is looking to do something they haven’t done since early December….Win two games in a row.
Earlier this year it looked like the San Jose Sharks were destined to miss the playoffs but they’ve started to play better in the last month or so. They have won five straight and seven of their last ten. They currently sit third in a wide-open Pacific Division, just a point back of the second place Arizona Coyotes. The Sharks are probably the odds-on favourite in Canadian sports betting heading into this one but that certainly doesn’t mean this will be a walk for them. They have struggled at times on home ice this season, posting an ugly 8-12-0 record at the Shark Tank.
Just an optional morning skate for the Senators today so we may have to wait until game time to know the exact line combinations. Cameron spoke with the media in San Jose though and it looks like Shane Prince and Chris Wideman are the odd men out. Here’s how Dave Cameron has his team lined up at the game day skate.
Hoffman-Turris-Stone
Michalek-Zibanejad-Ryan
Chiasson-Pageau-Lazar
McCormick-Smith-Neil
Claesson-Karlsson
Wiercioch-Ceci
Methot-Borowiecki
Craig Anderson gets the start in the Ottawa goal. Puck drop is scheduled for just after 10:30 PM Eastern time so be sure to get in a solid pre-game nap.
