If the Ottawa Senators are going to crawl back into the Eastern Conference playoff race, they have to find a way to string a couple wins together. The Senators haven’t won back to back games since early November and as a result, haven’t been able to make up any ground in the standings.
They’ll again look for a second straight win this evening when they host Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals.
The Caps currently sit second on the Metropolitan Division and have a pretty strong grip on a playoff spot in the East. They’ve posted a 5-2-3 record in their past ten games and as has been the case all year, have an offence that is led by Alex Ovehckin. His 30 goals are six more than the closest competitor and have people talking about the possibility of a second straight Hart Trophy for the Russian sniper. Safe to say shutting down Ovechkin will be a key for the Senators this evening.
Ottawa will be without a couple key veterans for a second straight game. Both Jason Spezza and Chris Phillips were ruled out yesterday and will not play against Washington. Phillips is nursing a foot injury while the Spezza injury is a bit of a mystery. The team has suggested it’s not related to the injuries he suffered last year but speculation I’m hearing is that it is indeed his back that’s bugging him. Obviously not a good sign, if true. With Phillips and Spezza out, the Senators are expected to go with the same line up as Saturday against Boston.
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Craig Anderson gets the start in the Ottawa goal.
The Daily Chirp- Defenceman Eric Gryba will miss a second straight game as a healthy scratch and there are some rumours suggesting that he may be a player involved in conversations with the Rangers regarding defenceman Michael Del Zotto. The Rangers don’t appear to be any big hurry to move Del Zotto but if and when they do, they’ll want to get a defenceman back in the trade.
