After an ugly four game road trip, the Ottawa Senators finally return home to the Canadian Tire Centre.
To a building half full of fans cheering for the other team unfortunately.
A match up against the Montreal Canadiens always brings me back to better times. Crazy to think that less than two years ago, the Ottawa Senators were completing a five game beat down of the Habs. The run to the finals was close but you’d be hard pressed to find a better time to be a Senators fan. The two teams have gone in opposite directions since that series though.
While Ottawa has struggled to recapture the magic of that season, the Canadiens have steadily improved. They are in the mix for top spot in the conference and are a lock to return to the playoffs this spring. Meanwhile the Senators have lost their way a little bit and find themselves 10 points out of a playoff spot at the half way mark.
Anyway, I generally dislike the Canadiens and their fans.
Chris Neil and Mark Borowiecki both skated with the team this morning which is a step in the right direction for both of them although neither will be in the lineup against the Habs. The Senators will make one change as Patrick Wiercioch draws back into the line up in place of Chris Phillips. Phillips is closing in on Alfredsson’s franchise record for games played but will have to wait a little longer than planned to pass Alfie’s mark of 1178 games in a Senators’ uniform.
Here’s how Dave Cameron has them lined up at the morning skate.
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 7:30 PM with the game available on TSN5.
