7 or “seven” is the number that follows 6 and precedes 8. It is a prime number and it is often considered lucky in Western culture.
It also happens to be the length of the seemingly endless losing streak the Ottawa Senators find themselves trapped within. The Senators have not won a hockey game since December 23rd. 22 days ago. Like 506 hours ago. LAST YEAR.
Let’s win this one shall we?! Or not. Either way works for me.
The Senators continue their four-game homestand against Robin Lehner and the Chicago Blackhawks.
The Hawks have been spectacularly average so far this season. Not really in a playoff race (seven points out heading into tonight) and not a bottom-feeder either. They have a .500 record overall. It includes a .500 record on home ice and a .500 record on the road.
The preceding 49 words is the most anyone has talked about the Blackhawks at any point this season.
While it won’t get the same attention as Mark Stone’s return later this week, tonight is Zack Smith’s first game in Ottawa since the off-season deal. Smith spent the first 11 seasons of his NHL career in Sens’ colours and while he was never really a top line guy, he was always one those dependable role players the team could count on to play tough minutes.
To this day, he sits 9th on the franchise’s games played list at 612. Certainly hope the organization and Sens fans show him some love tonight.
Couple changes expected to the Ottawa blueline tonight as both Mark Borowiecki and Nikita Zaitsev return. Andreas Englund is on his way to Belleville and Cody Goloubef is a healthy scratch.
Up front, Scott Sabourin is the odd man out. Mikkel Boedker is also apparently still an employee of the Ottawa Senators organization.
Just an optional morning skate for the Senators today but here’s how DJ Smith is expected to line ’em up based on practice yesterday.
Tkachuk-Pageau-Brown
Duclair-Tierney-Batherson
Chlapik-White-Ennis
Namestnikov-Anisimov-Balcers
Chabot-Hainsey
Borowiecki-Zaitsev
Reilly-DeMelo
Marcus Hogberg gets the start in goal for Ottawa.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:38 PM. The game is available on TSN5. There will be no streams available tonight because as a society, we have collectively determined that it is unethical to view unauthorized feeds of sporting events and in the process, deprive corporations of their hard-earned broadcasting rights and associated ad revenue.
-Lots of talk about Craig Anderson the last few days. With Marcus Hogberg making his third straight start, it has predictably led to speculation about Anderson’s future in Ottawa. Anderson, the best goalie in franchise history, is a UFA at the end of the year and with two goalies already locked into one-way contracts for next season, it would appear as though the writing is on the wall for Anderson. He seems open to the idea of a deal but with his salary ($4 mil this year) it doesn’t seem like teams are really lining up for his services just yet. Whatever happens with Anderson in the next month or so, it’s important that the organization keep Anderson in the loop. Andy is one of those rare veterans that has earned the right to call his shot. If he wants to go somewhere and chase a Cup, and there is a situation that works for him and for his family, then Pierre Dorion should make it happen. The return is secondary in this instance and it’s mostly about doing right by the player. Now, for no particular reason, here’s a picture of Craig Andersson with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Here’s the HEAD2HEAD table (assuming you can pry yourself away from Craig Anderson’s gaze).
| HEAD2HEAD |  |
 |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 20-20-6 (46 pts) | 16-22-7 (39 pts) |
| Goals For | 2.87 (20th) | 2.69 (23rd) |
| Goals Against | 3.17 (T-20th) | 3.36 (29th) |
| Power Play | 15.4% (26th) | 11.4% (31st) |
| Penalty Kill | 82.4% (10th) | 80.6% (15th) |
| Shots For | 30.9 (19th) | 30.0 (23rd) |
| Shots Against | 35.7 (31st) | 32.8 (28th) |
| Leading Scorers | Kane- 57 pts Toews- 35 pts DeBrincat- 32 pts |
Duclair- 32 pts Pageau- 30 pts Tkachuk- 25 pts |
| Starting Goalie | Robin Lehner 13-7-4 2.88 GAA, .923 sv% |
Marcus Hogberg 1-2-4 3.02 GAA, .901 sv% |
