When this road trip started a little over a week ago, it looked like it had the potential to be one of the toughest stretches of the season for the Ottawa Senators.
This team has responded in a big way, winning the first three games in California and following that up with an impressive performance in a shootout loss to the Minnesota Wild. The Sens will have a chance to close out this road trip on a high note when they play the Jets tonight in Winnipeg.
It has been a running theme on this trip but the Senators should see another desperate opponent. The Jets are in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race and currently hold the first Wild Card spot. They are four points clear of the ninth place team so they really can’t afford to take their foot off the gas if they want to hold onto that spot. The Jets are 6-2-2 in their last ten games including an impressive 5-2 win over the LA Kings on Sunday night. They should be a well-rested, motivated bunch.
Meanwhile the Senators are on the back end of a pretty tough back to back. They played a fast, intense hockey game in Minnesota last night so it will be interesting to see how much they have left in the tank to close out the trip. Ottawa sits six points back of the final spot in the East and will be playing their game in hand on the Bruins.
At least one change expected to the Ottawa line up as Colin Greening draws in for Matt Puempel. Jared Cowen is questionable with an illness. Coach will make a decision on whether or not he plays closer to game time. Pretty tough to take Wiercioch out of the line up right now though. No morning skate but here’s how the Senators are expected to line up for this one.
Hoffman-Zibanejad-Ryan
Michalek-Turris-Stone
Condra-Pageau-Lazar
Greening-Legwand-Chiasson
Methot-Karlsson
Wiercioch-Ceci
Borowiecki-Gryba
There was a bit of confusion this morning over the starting goaltender. Craig Anderson was expected to return but at the last minute, informed the Coach that the hand-injury was still bugging him a little bit and that he could not play. That means Andrew Hammond makes another start in the Ottawa goal.
Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:30 PM with the game available on Sportsnet and TVA.
