Fighting isn’t really a big part of the game anymore.
And based on everything we know about the long-term effects of concussions, that’s probably a good thing. Guys will still drop the gloves in the heat of the moment from time to time but for the most part, the league has sort of phased it out.
It wasn’t always that way though.
In fact, not long ago actually, fighting remained a central part of the sport. It was almost assumed that with each game, you’d see at least one scrap. Usually it would be the heavyweights but occasionally, things would escalate.
And every time the Philadelphia Flyers and Ottawa Senators get together, like they will tonight at the Canadian Tire Centre, I am reminded of that wild night in March.
419 penalty minutes. A record that still stands to this day. 21 fighting majors, 20 game misconducts, eight 10-minute misconducts, and two instigator minors. Jason Spezza led the way with 35 penalty minutes that night. Shaun Van Allen played poor Branko Radivojevic like a bongo drum. Peter Bondra scored a meaningless yet hilarious goal with 13 seconds left.
And I got to thinking, there have been a few good brawls in the history of the Ottawa Senators. So as we get set for Sens/Flyers, I present a ranking that nobody asked for- the top five line brawls in Sens history.
Honourable Mention- Ottawa Senators vs. Boston Bruins
Patrick Lalime’s “other fight”. This one didn’t go so well. Byron Dafoe came in pretty hot.
#5- Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators
The Sens and Leafs hated each other back in the day but this was one of the few times things really boiled over. Not Darcy Tucker’s best decision. Nobody spit on anybody, by the way.
#4- Los Angeles Kings vs. Ottawa Senators
The shot of players trying to help Jani Hurme get his trapper off is one of my favourite obscure moments in Sens history.
#3- Ottawa Senators vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Watching the video of this, it’s hard to believe this is even the same sport we watch today. Also, Mark Recchi with a little bit of a Myles Garrett thing going here.
#2- Ottawa Senators vs. Buffalo Sabres
I miss Bryan Murray and Ray Emery so much. Legends.
#1- Montreal Canadiens vs. Ottawa Senators
This one may not have the drama of the others on the list but it was just a perfect moment against a hated rival. Habs fans had invaded the rink that night and watching them slunk out after managing to lose every single fight, and the game, was truly a magical moment.
Actually, we might need to put this to a vote.
Loading …Okay, now where was I?
Right, the Flyers and Senators play tonight.
Through the first 18 games of the season, the Philadelphia Flyers have actually been one of the league’s most consistent teams. They come into this one holding down the first Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference but they have an impressive 10-5-3 record in a tough Metropolitan Division.
They came up short on Wednesday, falling in a shootout to the league-leading Washington Capital but before that, they had reeled off four straight wins.
It’s not like they are blowing teams out though as six of their last seven games have been decided in overtime, including five via the shootout.
Meanwhile the Senators are coming off one of their most impressive wins of the season. It looked like the New Jersey Devils had them on the ropes a couple nights ago but Mark Borowiecki and Jean Gabriel Pageau had other ideas.
The Senators have won three of their last four and are playing inspired hockey of late.
DJ Smith has his team on the ice for the morning skate and it looks like there will be a couple changes to the line up.
Here’s how the Senators are expected to look for this one.
Paul-Pageau-Brown
Tkachuk-Brown-Duclair
Namestnikov-White-Ennis
Chlapik-Tierney-Ryan
Chabot-Zaitsev
Brannstrom-Hainsey
Borowiecki-DeMelo
Anders Nilsson gets the start in goal.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:38 PM with the game available on TSN5, RDS2 and on illegal streaming sites all across the information super highway.
Now let us gather around the HEAD2HEAD table. Peluso, please say grace.
| HEAD2HEAD |  |
 |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 10-5-3 (23 pts) | 7-10-1 (15 pts) |
| Goals For | 3.00 (16th) | 2.83 (20th) |
| Goals Against | 2.83 (9th) | 3.33 (T-22nd) |
| Power Play | 21.7% (12th) | 6.5% (31st) |
| Penalty Kill | 86.3% (5th) | 80.3% (16th) |
| Shots For | 34.3 (T-3rd) | 30.5 (19th) |
| Shots Against | 29.2 (3rd) | 34.2 (29th) |
| Leading Scorers | Konecny- 19 pts Lindblom- 14 pts Giroux- 13 pts |
Pageau- 15 pts Brown- 14 pts Tkachuk- 11 pts |
| Starting Goalie | TBD | Anders Nilsson 4-4-1 2.98 GAA, .921 sv% |
