After an ugly win over the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night, the Ottawa Senators welcome the league’s top team, the Anaheim Ducks, to the Canadian Tire Centre.
It’s Ottawa’s final home game before the holiday break. They are in Montreal tomorrow night and then head into the break with a Monday night game in Washington.
Safe to say the Senators will have to be much better if they want to have any shot against the Ducks. Craig Anderson was able to hold the fort against an offensively challenged Devils team but he’ll need a little more support if Ottawa wants to pull off the upset in this one.
The Anaheim Ducks are coming off a 2-1 win last night in Montreal improving their record to 22-7-5 on the season, including an impressive 12-4-2 record on the road. They don’t have the huge goal differential that some of the teams around them have but they consistently find ways to win hockey games. Despite being without Corey Perry for a large portion of the season, the offence remains dangerous. Ryan Getzlaf has 35 points in 33 games and off season acquisition Ryan Kesler has chipped in with 26 points in 34 games.
Ottawa catches a bit of a break though in the form of another back up goalie. Ilya Bryzgalov is expected to make his first start of the season for the Ducks. The combination of a back up goalie and a team that played last night at least gives Ottawa a chance in this one.
With Curtis Lazar on his way to join the Canadian Junior team, the Senators are now carrying just 12 forwards. There are no plans to recall someone at this point so Dave Cameron’s line up decisions up front become a little bit more straightforward. On defence, Chris Phillips will stay in the line up while Patrick Wiercioch looks on from the press box. Here’s how Cameron has them lined up at the morning skate.
MacArthur-Turris-Stone
Hoffman-Zibanejad-Ryan
Greening-Legwand-Michalek
Condra-Pageau-Chiasson
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 RDS and TSN5.
In case you missed this yesterday, a great behind the scenes look at Daniel Alfredsson’s return to Ottawa.
