It should go without saying but this five game home stand is a big one for the Ottawa Senators.
Not only because they’ve struggled on home ice so far this year but because a couple ugly losses in Carolina and Nashville had fans justifiably concerned about this year’s Senators.
They still sit in second place in the Atlantic Division but their record is somewhat flattering considering the fact that they’ve been consistently outplayed by the opposition. Shots on goal aren’t everything but they can often be an indication of trends in a team’s game. And for the Sens, there are definitely some concerning trends.
But it’s the results that matter and on Thursday night, they ended up on the right end of a 3-2 final. A great way to start the home stand and hopefully a little confidence boost for a team that clearly needed it.
They’ll look to keep it rolling against a powerful New York Rangers team this afternoon at the Canadian Tire Centre.
The Rangers have been one of the top team’s in the NHL so far this season and look like a serious contender in the Eastern Conference. They have a 12-2-2 record, have won seven straight and have an impressive 9-0-1 record in their last ten hockey games. Their +23 goal differential is second in the NHL. And I could go on and on. This is a damn good hockey team.
Appears as though Dave Cameron will make a minor change to his line up in preparation for the high flying Rangers. While it seems as though he’ll dress the same twelve forwards. he has hinted at some line juggling in order to get some more favourable match ups against a deep Rangers line up. Hoffman will skate on the third line with Pageau and Chiasson and should be able to get some five on five shifts away from the Rangers best players. Meanwhile Milan Michalek moves up to play with Turris and Stone.
Jared Cowen missed yesterday’s practice and is out for this afternoon’s contest. Wiercioch draws back in.
No morning skate today with the early start but here’s how Cameron had his team lined up yesterday.
Michalek-Turris-Stone
Puempel-Zibanejad-Ryan
Hoffman-Pageau-Chiasson
Lazar-Smith-Neil
Methot-Karlsson
Wiercioch-Ceci
Borowiecki-Wideman
Craig Anderson gets the start for the Senators. Puck drop is scheduled for just after 1:00 PM.
