The Ottawa Senators are the league’s best team on home ice and they’ll have a chance to improve on that record this weekend with an all-Canadian back to back.
First up- Dustin Byfuglien and the red hot Winnipeg Jets.
Everyone was expecting the Winnipeg Jets to be an improved team this season and over the last couple weeks, they have shown exactly why. After stumbling out of the blocks, the Jets have been heating up of late, picking up at least a point in seven straight games. Their 7-5-2 record is good enough for 7th place in a competitive Western Conference. Most of their offence comes from Bryan Little, Andrew Ladd and Blake Wheeler. Keeping those three in check will be a priority for the Senators tonight.
Sort of a weird morning skate for the Senators as they have a few guys that are banged up right now. Could mean some last minutes changes to the line up.
Bobby Ryan stayed out at the end of practice which is a pretty good indication he won’t play but the Coach called him a game time decision . Ryan took a slash late in the game against Minnesota. On the blueline, Chris Phillips is close to a return but will sit out another game. The blueline remains the same but the forward combinations will be a little tough to figure out without Ryan. Assuming it will look something like this. Or they could put Stone on the top line and put Chiasson with Lazar and Hoffman.
Let’s just hope Bobby plays.
MacArthur-Turris-Condra
Michalek-Zibanejad-Greening
Hoffman-Lazar-Stone
Smith-Legwand-Neil
Borowiecki-Karlsson
Cowen-Ceci
Wiercioch-Gryba
Craig Anderson gets the start in the Ottawa goal. Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:00 PM with the game available on Sportsnet and on the radio at TSN1200. Tonight is Canadian Forces Appreciation night at the Canadian Tire Centre.
