(UPDATE 12:15 PM)- This afternoon, the Ottawa Senators announced that forward Stephane Da Costa has been placed on waivers. Da Costa had a solid preseason but hasn’t really stood out during the regular season games he played. Unlikely Da Costa is claimed at this point so it seems like the next stop for him is Binghamton. This move seems to pave the way for the return of Mika Zibanejad.
After a grueling six game road trip that took them through scenic Buffalo, with a stop in the always level headed centre of the hockey universe Toronto, to a shooting gallery on the West coast and finally to the hockey-crazy Arizona desert…the Sens are back where they belong.
The Ottawa Senators play their first home game of the 2013/2014 season tonight at the newly named Canadian Tire Centre. Tonight’s opponent is the NHL’s last remaining winless team, the New Jersey Devils.
The Devils are off to a rocky start but as we’ve learned over the last couple seasons, there really are no easy games in this league anymore. New Jersey is a well-coached team that still has players that can make you pay if you make mistakes.
The Devils announced yesterday that Martin Brodeur will be making the start against Ottawa. New Jersey acquired Cory Schneider in the off season but will go with Brodeur for the fourth time this season. Brodeur has a 0-1-2 record in his previous three starts.
The Senators are on the ice for their morning skate at the CTC at 10:15 AM this morning. There was some talk about potential call ups ahead of this one but no news on that front just yet. I’d imagine MacLean wants to give guys like Pageau and Da Costa a chance to play a home game or two before making any decision on that front.
Here are the lines from the morning skate.
Michalek-Spezza-Conacher
MacArthur-Turris-Ryan
Greening-Smith-Neil
Kassian-Pageau-Condra
Methot-Karlsson
Cowen-Wiercioch
Phillips-Gryba
Craig Anderson is expected to start for the Senators.
Puck drop is at an extremely reasonable 7:30 PM tonight with the game available on Sportsnet East. But a home opener should be seen in person if you ask me and there are apparently still plenty of tickets left.
Let’s make sure it’s a sellout and we welcome the Senators back from their lengthy road trip in style.
GO SENS GO!
