Let’s talk about an actual hockey game, shall we?
After a busy few days off the ice with a Coaching change and a rink relocation dominating the discussion, the Ottawa Senators finally get back to playing hockey. Dave Cameron makes his debut behind the bench as the defending Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings roll into the Canadian Tire Centre.
The term Stanley Cup hangover gets thrown around a lot but it certainly seems to apply for the Kings. I mean, they are good. There’s no doubt about it. But to this point in the season, they haven’t really found that “next level” to their game. Their 14-9-5 record looks pretty good on paper but if the playoffs started today, the Kings would be on the outside looking in. And while they’ve been dominant on home ice (11-4-1), their record as the visitors is a less than impressive 3-5-4.
They roll into Ottawa having lost their last two games, including a 1-0 defeat at the hands of the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night.
Meanwhile the Ottawa Senators are coming off one of their most impressive wins of the season- a 4-3 comeback win against the Vancouver Canucks. Although considering everything that has happened this week, that almost feels like a game from last season. With a few extra bodies still on the roster and guys going to and from the IR list, the Senators roster has been a little tough to follow lately.
Clarke MacArthur is battling a bit of the flu and sounds like he may miss tonight’s game. Colin Greening was skating in his spot on the top line at the morning skate. On defence, it seems like despite both being on the active roster, Marc Methot and Patrick Wiercioch will watch this one from the pressbox. Marc Methot’s wacky back injury has returned apparently and he wants to avoid “tweaking” something. Here’s how the Senators are expected to line up for this one.
Greening-Turris-Stone
Hoffman-Zibanejad-Ryan
Condra-Lazar-Chiasson
Legwand-Smith-Neil
Phillips-Karlsson
Cowen-Ceci
Borowiecki-Gryba
Craig Anderson gets the start in the Ottawa goal. Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:30 PM with the game available on TSN5.
