We meet again, Canadian Tire Centre.
In the early going of the 2015/2016 season, the biggest nemesis of the Ottawa Senators has been…well it’s been their building. What with its abnormal lighting, uneven ice surface, distracting Club Bell and uncomfortable benches, the Canadian Tire Centre has been the primary reason for the Sens’ inconsistent start. Sure the players and coaches deserve some of the blame but really, it’s that damn building’s fault.
Fans will be expecting a much better performance from the Canadian Tire Centre tonight.
Okay, okay. Maybe it’s not fair to place blame on an inanimate object but the home ice struggles have gone on long enough. The Senators are 1-3-2 in their own barn including a disappointing effort on Saturday night against the Detroit Red Wings. They’ll be looking for a much better effort tonight against the Winnipeg Jets.
The Jets are off to a pretty strong start this season. Playing in the difficult Western Conference, Winnipeg is 8-4-1 including a 5-2-0 record away from home. The Senators catch them in a second game of a back to back though as the Jets were in Toronto last night. They won that game by a 4-2 final. This Jets team is extremely well-balanced and have talented players throughout the line up. Blake Wheeler leads the way with 16 points and then six other players have seven points or more.
Ottawa will once again be without one of their top forwards as Mark Stone serves the second game of his completely ridiculous suspension. No changes are expected to the line up that beat the Montreal Canadiens in overtime the other night. Just an optional game day skate for the Sens this morning but here’s how they are expected to line ’em up tonight.
Hoffman-Turris-Lazar
Prince-Zibanejad-Ryan
Michalek-Pageau-Chiasson
Puempel-Smith-Neil
Methot-Karlsson
Wiercioch-Ceci
Cowen-Borowiecki
Craig Anderson gets another start in the Ottawa goal. Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:30 PM.
