After a deflating loss in Buffalo on Friday night, the Ottawa Senators are right back at it on home ice tonight against the Montreal Canadiens.
Any sliver of doubt about this team’s playoff hopes and dreams was all but removed last night against the Sabres. It was a game the Senators needed to win and instead they turned in an uninspired 60 minute effort and let the 25th place Sabres take it to them most of the game.
Most fans gave up awhile ago. And last night, it looked like the players were ready to join the majority of the fan base.
Will be interesting to see what kind of effort they have tonight against the rival Canadiens.
Looking at the Sens and Habs side by side, it’s tough to say who’s had the more disappointing season. And that says something about just how terrible a year it’s been for the Canadiens. This Montreal team burst out of the gate in October and had their fans booking off time in June to attend the inevitable Stanley Cup parade. Their fall from grace has been dramatic and hilarious. This is a team that expected to contend in the East and instead, they’ve been a league bottom-feeder for most of the year.
Heading into tonight the Sens sit just two points clear of the Habs though and have played one more game.
No morning skate for the Senators this morning but Dave Cameron met with the media this afternoon and indicated they’ll make one change to the forward ranks as Matt Puempel draws in for Ryan Dzingel. A best guess at the line up for this one.
Smith-Pageau-Stone
Hoffman-Zibanejad-Chiasson
Puempel-Gomez-Ryan
Paul-Lazar-Neil
Methot-Karlsson
Phaneuf-Ceci
Kostka-Wideman
Andrew Hammond gets the start in the Ottawa goal. Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:00 PM.
