And so begins life without Josh Norris.
While Monday’s game was Ottawa’s first without their top line centre in the lineup, we now know that this is a long-term kind of thing. Norris is expected to miss the next three to five months and for a team with playoff aspirations, it’s a devastating blow. Or maybe not.
With internal options at the ready, the Senators now have an opportunity to show off that newfound depth. It starts with Derick Brassard but it’s almost certainly going to be a by committee kind of thing with anyone even resembling a centre expected to pitch in.
That starts tonight when the Ottawa Senators wrap-up a five-game homestand against Wes Walz and the Minnesota Wild. While I recognize it has been 15 years since Walz suited up for the Wild, I simply refuse to learn the names of any other Minnesota Wild. And what the hell is a Wild, anyway!?
Ottawa took care of some internal business ahead of this one, announcing that they have signed forward Mark Kastelic to a two-year extension. For Kastelic, it’s a little stability and a one-way deal. For the Senators, it’s locking in what appears to be a key piece of their bottom six.
A win-win as the old saying goes.
One change to the lineup as Nikita Zaitsev draws in for Nick Holden on the blueline.
Tkachuk-Stützle-Batherson
DeBrincat-Brassard-Giroux
Motte-Pinto-Joseph
Kelly-Kastelic-Watson
Chabot-Zub
Sanderson-Hamonic
Brannstrom-Zaitsev
Anton Forsberg gets the start in goal for the home side.
Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7 PM. The game is on the teevee, the ol’ ham radio and on the interwebs. But if you’re really looking for a time, head down to the Canadian Tire Centre and see them in person as they cap off the best homestand in the history of hockey.
Don’t ask questions. Just go.
I must say, these HEAD2HEAD tables have become increasingly pleasant. Sure, the columns and rows have always been great and the formatting is elite, but now the content is pretty good, too.
Seriously, just look at it!
| HEAD2HEAD |  |
 |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 2-3-1 (5 pts) | 4-2-0 (8 pts) |
| Goals For | 3.67 (5th) | 4.17 (2nd) |
| Goals Against | 4.67 (31st) | 3.00 (15th) |
| Power Play | 32.0% (3rd) | 25.0% (12th) |
| Penalty Kill | 78.3% (18th) | 76.2% (22nd) |
| Shots For | 34.2 (8th) | 33.8 (9th) |
| Shots Against | 33.8 (26th) | 29.8 (8th) |
| Leading Scorers | Zuccarello- 10 pts Kaprisov- 8 pts Boldy- 6 pts Addison- 6 pts Eriksson Ek- 5 pts |
Tkachuk- 10 pts Batherson- 9 pts Stutzle- 6 pts Pinto- 6 pts DeBrincat- 6 pts |
| Starting Goalie | Marc-Andre Fleury 2-1-1 4.30 GAA, .869 sv% |
Anton Forsberg 3-2-0 2.83 GAA, .904 sv% |
