The schedule maker is about to get a little kinder to the Ottawa Senators.
After two stretches that saw them play three games in four nights, the schedule finally gets a little lighter for the Sens. It will give them some time to catch their breath a little bit and more importantly this early in the season, get a couple good practices in.
But before that happens, the Senators play host to one of the top teams from the Western Conference- the Nashville Predators.
The Nashville Predators are off to another good start this year. They’ve put up a 3-1-0 record, outscoring their opponents by a 10-6 margin. Their first loss of the season came on Thursday night against the New York Islanders. It goes without saying but the strength of this Nashville team is on the back end. They have one of the deepest bluelines in the National Hockey League and if you find a way past them, you find one of the best goaltenders in the game standing in front of you.
Sens catch a bit of a break tonight though as Carter Hutton will make his first start of the season.
Even without Rinne playing, Ottawa will have to be a whole lot better than they were in Pittsburgh the other night if they want to have a shot in this one.
The last time the Senators played in front of the crowd at the Canadian Tire Centre, they laid a bit of an egg. Their performance against the Montreal Canadiens last Sunday was nowhere near good enough and you know they’ll be looking for a better effort in front of their home town fans.
Looks like Cameron will go with the same twelve forwards and six defenceman but will make one minor change to the line combinations. Milan Michalek. who has actually looked pretty good to start the season, will move up to play with Zibanejad and Ryan. Alex Chiasson skates on the line with Pageau and Lazar.
Here’s how Dave Cameron has them lined up at the morning skate.
Hoffman-Turris-Stone
Michalek-Zibanejad-Ryan
Chiasson-Pageau-Lazar
Prince-Smith-Neil
Methot-Karlsson
Wiercioch-Ceci
Cowen-Borowiecki
Craig Anderson makes another start in the Ottawa goal. Puck drop in this one is scheduled for just after 7:00 PM.
