The Ottawa Senators took care of business on home ice. Now they need to do the same thing out West.
While on paper, this road trip may look like it includes some “winnable games”, that term hasn’t really applied to the Senators this year. They seem to elevate their game against top teams but have been guilty of playing down to their opposition at times.
With a daunting 18 game schedule facing them the rest of the way, Ottawa really can’t afford to take their foot off the gas. The most recent three game win streak put them in a great spot but the cushion can evaporate pretty quickly. Ottawa will play 12 of their final 18 games on the road and seven games against teams with better records. They’ll play an incredible 18 games in the final 32 days of the season.
Need to keep picking up points during this road trip. Up first- the Dallas Stars.
With their 27-29-10, the Stars find themselves seven points back of the second Wild Card spot in the West. Maybe not out of it completely but close. This won’t come as a huge surprise but goaltending and defence have been the Stars biggest issues again this season.
Heading into tonight, only the Coyotes and Avalanche have allowed more goals against than the Stars. That’s why despite having the league’s 11th ranked offence, the Stars are struggling to keep pace in the West. And while their year has been full of ups and downs the Stars have won a couple in a row, including an impressive win over the Washington Capitals on Monday night.
For the Senators, the challenge is to continue to build on what was a remarkable homestand. They controlled the game against Colorado and then turned in two of their better performances of the year against Columbus and Boston.
Guy Boucher was on TSN 1200 earlier today and mentioned that there may be a couple line up changes. And now at the game day skate, no sign of Kyle Turris. Chris DiDomenico is in his spot on the line with Dzingel and Smith. If he plays, it will be his first game in the National Hockey League nearly ten years after he was drafted. There’s also a chance Boucher goes with 7 defenceman and 11 forwards. We’ll find out at game time.
Burrows-Brassard-Stone
Hoffman-Pageau-Pyatt
Dzingel-Smith-DiDomenico
Stalberg-Kelly-Wingels
Methot-Karlsson
Phaneuf-Ceci
Borowiecki-Wideman
Craig Anderson gets the start in the Ottawa goal. Puck drop in Dallas is scheduled for just after 8:00 PM.
