The Ottawa Senators did a lot of things right in their home opener on Thursday night.
Unfortunately holding on to a lead and keeping an eye on the other team’s best player were not among those things. So while the Sens were mostly happy with the way they played in the first game of the season, they’ll be looking to clean a few things up as they play host to the Detroit Red Wings.
While all the experts disagree on most of the Atlantic Division, almost everyone seems to have this Detroit team at or near the bottom. While they still have some talented young forwards, they seem to be a team in transition. Not quite rebuilding and certainly not a contender.
They did win their season opener against the Minnesota Wild though.
Last night, the Senators announced they have recalled defenceman Ben Harpur from Belleville. With Johnny Oduya and Erik Karlsson both considered day to day at this point a little bit of insurance was necessary.
The #Sens have recalled defenceman Ben Harpur from Belleville (AHL) @BellevilleSens
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) October 7, 2017
There were some fans suggesting that maybe this would be a time to bring Thomas Chabot up but Management and the Coaching Staff have made it clear that they think some AHL time will help Chabot’s development and the first injury of the season shouldn’t change that plan.
When Chabot gets the call, hopefully it’s a permanent thing.
Guy Boucher met with the media yesterday and announced that Alex Formenton will make his NHL debut against the Red Wings and in the process, become the youngest player in Ottawa Senators history.
Logan Brown draws out to make room. We’ll have to wait until the 10:30 AM morning skate to confirm the line up because yesterday, there was at least a chance Karlsson or Oduya could play.
Here’s how the Sens were lined up at Friday’s practice.
Ryan-Brassard-Stone
Dzingel-Turris-Smith
Hoffman-Pageau-Pyatt
Formenton-Thompson-Burrows
Phaneuf-Ceci
Borowiecki-Wideman
Harpur-Claesson
Craig Anderson gets the start in the Ottawa goal. Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:00 PM. The game is available on Sportsnet One.
| HEAD2HEAD |  |
 |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 1-0-0 | 0-0-1 |
| Head to Head | 3-1-0 Leading Scorer: GREEN (4 pts) |
1-1-2 Leading Scorer: KARLSSON (4 pts) |
| Goals For | 4.0 (T-3rd) | 4.0 (T-3rd) |
| Goals Against | 2.0 (T-6th) | 4.0 (T-14th) |
| Power Play | 40.0% (2nd) | 0.0% (T-16th) |
| Penalty Kill | 100.0% (T-1st) | 100.0% (T-1st) |
| Shots For/Shots Against | 31.0 (T-14th) 39.0 (16th) |
32.0 (12th) 28.0 (3rd) |
| Leading Scorer | Mike Green (4 pts) | Derick Brassard (3 pts) |
