Thursday night’s win over the Montreal Canadiens was certainly one of Ottawa’s most impressive performances of the season.
One of the Senators biggest problems this season has been consistency. They’ll look like world-beaters one night only to come out flat in their next game. The Sens will try to string together back to back solid performances when they host Eric Staal and the Carolina Hurricanes.
The Hurricanes could/should be a tired bunch as they roll into the Canadian Tire Centre. They played at home last night, losing 3-0 to the Vancouver Canucks, and flew out right after the game. They have been playing a little better lately but that’s a tough back to back.
All it took was one convincing win over a division rival and suddenly my mind has started to drift towards the impossible again. Ottawa still has a huge gap to close in their chase for a playoff spot but the schedule looks somewhat favourable over the next few weeks. The Sens will play 11 of their next 14 games on home ice in a stretch that will certainly decide their fate this season.
They probably need to win 10 or 11 of those to force their way back into the mix. That sounds damn near impossible for a team as inconsistent as the Senators have been this season but there are definitely some winnable games coming up. It goes without saying but this game against Carolina is a game they have to win.
Looks like Dave Cameron will go with the same group as Thursday against the Habs. That means Chris Phillips and Colin Greening will watch from the press box. Here’s how the Senators are expected to line up for this one.
MacArthur-Turris-Chiasson
Hoffman-Zibanejad-Ryan
Michalek-Pageau-Stone
Condra-Legwand-Lazar
Methot-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 good ol’ CityTV.
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