It’s a back to back that will certainly go a long way to deciding the Senators fate this season.
It starts with a game at Madison Square Garden followed by a return home to take on the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Senators then have seven days between games. You know they’ll want to head into that extended All Star break on a high note. With their playoff hopes rapidly dwindling, these are four points they desperately need.
And even though the results haven’t always been there recently, there are signs this is a team that is starting to turn the corner a little bit.
The Sens liked their effort against the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday night but not the end results. They generated a ton of offence but just couldn’t find a way to beat Canes goaltender Anton Khudobin. If they can generate chances like that on a regular basis, wins will follow.
Of course it won’t be quite as easy against the New York Rangers.
The Rangers have been one of the hottest teams in the NHL for the last couple months and have been on exactly the type of run the Senators would need to get back in the race. They’ve won seven of their last ten and gone from outside a playoff spot, all the way to third in the Metropolitan. They have great goaltending, depth up front and a strong blueline. In a wide-open Eastern Conference, they have to be considered among the favourites.
A couple changes expected to Ottawa’s line up heading into this one. The team’s two alternate captains, Chris Neil and Chris Phillips, will both return against the Rangers. Patrick Wiercioch is the odd man out on the blueline while it looks like Curtis Lazar is the forward that joins Colin Greening in the pressbox. Here’s how Dave Cameron has his team lined up for the morning skate.
MacArthur-Turris-Stone
Hoffman-Zibanejad-Ryan
Michalek-Pageau-Chiasson
Condra-Legwand-Neil
Methot-Karlsson
Cowen-Ceci
Phillips-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 TSN5.
