On the heels of one of their most impressive sixty minute performances of the season, the Ottawa Senators are back at it against Robin Lehner and the Buffalo Sabres.
Sunday’s game against the New York Rangers was the type of win fans have been desperate for. A solid effort for three periods, with all four lines playing well, the defence doing its job and quality goaltending. The challenge for the Senators will be to match that level of intensity in their final game before the All Star break.
The Sabres were a team expected to have a big bounce back year in 2015/2016 but it just hasn’t turned out that way so far. They’ve certainly improved relative to last year but this is still a rebuilding hockey team. They currently sit second last in the Eastern Conference with a 19-26-4 record. Injuries have played a big part in their first half struggles, particularly the injury to Robin Lehner. He’s finally back now though which gives the Sabres some much needed stability in goal.
Buffalo comes into this one having lost three straight, including a 6-3 loss in New York last night.
For the Senators, this is the last game before a much-needed six day All Star break. While Erik Karlsson will travel to Nashville to take part in the All Star festivities, the rest of the roster will have some time to rest up and prepare for the hectic stretch run. Injuries have become a pretty major concern for the Sens in the last couple weeks so having some time to rest is going to be huge for this group. In addition to the guys that have missed games, there are a few other guys nursing various bumps and bruises.
This team needs to be healthy if they are going to have a shot at pushing for a playoff spot over the final two and a half months of the season.
The Senators are on the ice for the morning skate and it looks like they’ll roll with the same forward combinations as Sunday afternoon against the Rangers. No changes on the blueline either. Marc Methot practiced yesterday and is on the ice for the pre-game skate but it does not look like he’s expected to play. Here’s how the Sens are expected to line up for this one.
Hoffman-Zibanejad-Ryan
Puempel-Pageau-Stone
Chiasson-Smith-Lazar
Prince-McCormick-Neil
Borowiecki-Karlsson
Wiercioch-Ceci
Cowen-Wideman
Craig Anderson gets the start in the Ottawa goal. Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:30 PM.
-And while an important game is played out in Kanata, some equally important discussions will be taking place right near the potential future home of the Ottawa Senators. The LeBreton Flats public consultations are being held tonight at the War Museum, with doors opening at 4:00 PM. The actual presentations are scheduled for 6:00 PM and will be streamed live on the NCC website. I mentioned it yesterday but if you can make it out to the War Museum tonight, do it. There are going to be plenty of people lined up against the idea of a downtown hockey rink so if you support the idea, make sure your voice is heard throughout the process.
