If the Ottawa Senators want to make to the playoffs this Spring, these are games they need to win.
They put in a solid effort the other night against the Panthers but with the playoff race as tight as it is right now, moral victories are only worth so much. They need to find a way to come away with the two points.
Especially in a a Saturday night showdown with a division rival that currently sits just two points up on Ottawa in the standings. The Bruins are currently holding the first wild card spot in the Eastern Conference and have played two less games than Ottawa.
The Senators and Bruins have become quite familiar with one another in the last couple weeks. A home and home at the end of December turned predictably edgy, with tensions boiling over after a cheap shot by Brad Marchand and then a series of fights at the end of the second game. These two teams do not like each other and playing three times in such a short period of time should certainly add to that hatred.
Just an optional skate for the Senators this morning but based on what we saw at yesterday’s practice, it seems like the Senators will go with the same combinations as the other night against Florida. Here’s how the Sens are expected to line up.
Ryan-Turris-Stone
Hoffman-Zibanejad-Michalek
McCormick-Pageau-Lazar
Prince-Smith-Neil
Claesson-Karlsson
Wiercioch-Ceci
Methot-Borowiecki
The Senators were furious at the end of the last game but it’s pretty rare for that kind of anger to carry over these days. Hockey has changed a lot in the last couple years. The era of getting payback and physical retribution is pretty much gone. Not completely though. In this instance, it’s time to send a message. It doesn’t have to be with one fight or one face wash though. This has to be a full team response.
Both physically and on the scoreboard, of course.
Craig Anderson gets the start in the Ottawa goal. Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:00 PM.
