On the heels of an important win against the Winnipeg Jets, the Ottawa Senators return to the friendly confines of the Canadian Tire Centre hoping to keep pace in the NHL’s Eastern Conference.
Ottawa got a bit of a favour from the New York Rangers yesterday afternoon as they blanked the Detroit Red Wings 3-0 to prevent Detroit from extending their lead in the standings. But with so many other teams in the hunt for the final couple spots, Ottawa has to make sure they keep racking up points. After tonight, the Senators don’t play again until Saturday night so these two points are crucial if they want to keep pace. Plenty of scoreboard watching tonight too with other important games including Pittsburgh vs. Washington, Phoenix vs. Tampa Bay, Columbus vs. Dallas and Toronto vs. Anaheim.
Tonight’s opposition- the Nashville Predators, roll into Ottawa having lost their last four games, scoring just three goals along the way. Playoffs were far-fetched for the Preds to begin with but this recent losing streak has all but sealed their fate. They come into tonight’s game trailing the Dallas Stars by ten points for the final spot in the West.
Clarke MacArthur will miss a second straight game for the Senators. He skated briefly before the morning skate but did not join the main group. The injury isn’t believed to be that serious though and he’s likely to return in time for Saturday’s game. With MacArthur out, Matt Kassian will play a second straight game. Patrick Wiercioch is a healthy scratch on defence.
Here’s how the Senators are expected to line up for this one
Hoffman-Turris-Ryan
Michalek-Spezza-Hemsky
Greening-Smith-Neil
Kassian-Zibanejad-Condra
Methot-Karlsson
Phillips-Ceci
Cowen-Gryba
Craig Anderson gets the start in the Ottawa goal. Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:30 PM.
