The Ottawa Senators played 55 minutes of pretty solid hockey the other night in Anaheim.
And then the wheels completely fell off in the final five minutes. They’ll be looking for a more complete effort when they continue their three game swing through the state of California with a Saturday afternoon showdown with the Los Angeles Kings.
After a step back last season, this Kings team appears to have reclaimed their status as contender in the tough Western Conference. They have an eight point lead in the Pacific Division and have won seven times in their last ten. They don’t score a ton of goals but few teams are as tough defensively as this Kings group.
The Senators have had a heck of a time generating offence the last little while and it won’t get any easier against the Kings. They can take comfort in the fact that they scored five goals against this same Kings team back in Ottawa a month ago.
No morning skate for the Senators today but it looks like they’ll make a couple changes to their line up. Alex Chiasson draws back in up front, taking the place of Max McCormick. One change on the blueline too as Freddy Claesson returns and Chris Wideman returns to the press box. Here’s how the Senators are expected to line up for this one.
Ryan-Turris-Stone
Hoffman-Zibanejad-Michalek
Chiasson-Pageau-Lazar
Prince-Smith-Neil
Claesson-Karlsson
Methot-Ceci
Wiercioch-Borowiecki
Craig Anderson gets the start for Ottawa. Puck drops just after 4:00 PM.
