It’s amazing how fast this season has turned around for the Senators and how much more pleasant the mood has become around this hockey team. The Ottawa Senators will look to continue the positive vibes against a team that is quickly becoming their biggest rival- the Montreal Canadiens.
After building an undeniable hatred for each other during the first round of last year’s playoffs, the Sens and Habs are meeting for the third time this year. They met back on January 4th at the Bell Centre in Montreal with Clarke MacArthur scoring the overtime winner. The Senators have now taken six of their last seven games against the Canadiens.
The Habs are considered a lock in the race for a playoff spot but they have sputtered a bit lately and allowed the Senators to close the gap a little bit. Montreal has a seven point edge which could be narrowed to just five points with a regulation win tonight. Great opportunity for the Sens to gain some ground on the Division leaders.
Yesterday, the Senators returned Jean Gabriel Pageau to Binghamton of the American Hockey League. That means the injured Chris Neil is ready to return to the Ottawa line up. He takes Matt Kassian’s spot in the line up. MacLean will make one change to the defence as Gryba draws in for Wiercioch. Here’s how the Coach lined them up at the morning skate.
MacArthur-Turris-Ryan
Conacher-Zibanejad-Michalek
Greening-Spezza-Stone
Condra-Smith-Neil
Cowen-Karlsson
Methot-Gryba
Phillips-Ceci
Craig Anderson gets the start in the Ottawa goal. Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:30 PM.
The Daily Chirp- The deals have started in Edmonton and they are as puzzling as ever. Yesterday they dealt goalie Devan Dubnyk to the Preds for a fourth liner in Matt Hendricks and then moments later, acquired Ben Scrivens from the Kings in exchange for a 3rd round pick. MacTavish is expected to be busy at this year’s deadline and we know that he spoke to the Senators at length earlier this season. If the Senators are set on adding some veteran scoring at the deadline this season, Ales Hemsky makes a whole lot of sense. The two teams talked about Hemsky earlier in the year but the asking price was too high. Not necessarily part of a Hemsky deal but the Oilers did show some interest in Colin Greening.
