The narrative surrounding this year’s Ottawa Senators seems to shift on a game to game basis.
After a shootout loss to the Rangers followed by an overtime loss at the hands of the Red Wings, this was a team in a tailspin. General Manager, Head Coach and fans all stressing about the team’s on-ice performance and with good reasons. But a convincing regulation win over the Blue Jackets has settled the masses a little bit and given the Sens a chance to make this a pretty successful home stand.
The Senators have six of a possible eight points so far and have a chance to make it 8 of 10 tonight when they taken on Claude Giroux and the Philadelphia Flyers.
This Philadelphia team is hovering around the .500 mark and have been pretty inconsistent so far. Their 6-8-5 record may actually be pretty flattering and their -19 goal differential is tied for second last in the entire NHL. They’ve scored just 34 goals so far this year which is last in the league. That’s just 1.79 a game.
And while their offence has struggled, they do still have elite talent in their line up, particularly Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek. Shut down those two and the Senators should be in pretty good shape.
Patrick Wiercioch was injured last game and it sounds like it could be long term. Mike Kostka has been called up from Binghamton and is expected to join the Senators on their upcoming road trip. With Wiercioch out, Jared Cowen draws back in. Bobby Ryan is skating in his regular place in the line up at the morning skate and could be available tonight.
Shane Prince looks like he’s a healthy scratch again. I like Matt Puempel and think he can be a useful player but at this point, what has he done to earn that spot over Shane Prince? I’ve barely noticed Puempel in the games he’s played.
Here’s how Cameron has his team lined up at the morning skate.
Hoffman-Turris-Ryan
Puempel-Zibanejad-Stone
Michalek-Pageau-Chiasson
Lazar-Smith-Neil
Methot-Karlsson
Cowen-Ceci
Borowiecki-Wideman
Craig Anderson gets the start in the Ottawa goal. Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:00 PM.
