On Sunday night, the Chicago Blackhawks dominated early and held on to a narrow victory over the Ottawa Senators. Tonight, the Sens and Hawks will meet in the rematch at the Canadian Tire Centre.
The Sens are coming off a win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night in what was probably their best game of the season to date. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks are coming off a 1-0 loss to the Anaheim Ducks on home ice that same night.
Visits from the Chicago Blackhawks are pretty rare so I’m expecting a lively crowd at the CTC tonight.
Last year, the Senators put together one of their most impressive performances of the season in a game against Chicago on home ice. The Senators won 5-3 that night, in a game that at the time kept Ottawa’s faint playoff hopes alive. Ottawa also played them pretty tough this past Sunday too. The Senators started slow that night but seemed to get more comfortable as the game rolled along and were actually the better team in the third period.
Definitely something to build on heading into tonight’s contest.
Mark Borowiecki was run from behind in the Columbus game and according to reports from the morning skate, will not be available for tonight’s game. That means Patrick Wiercioch draws back into the Ottawa line up. Looks like MacLean will make one change up front as Mike Hoffman draws back in, taking the spot of Erik Condra. Hoffman will skate on a line with Curtis Lazar and Mark Stone. Colin Greening is the other healthy scratch. Here’s how the Senators will line up for this one.
MacArthur-Turris-Ryan
Michalek-Zibanejad-Chiasson
Smith-Legwand-Neil
Hoffman-Lazar-Stone
Phillips-Karlsson
Cowen-Ceci
Wiercioch-Gryba
Robin Lehner and his wife are expecting the birth of their first child today so Andrew Hammond has been called up from Binghamton. Craig Anderson will get the start in the Ottawa goal.
Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:30 PM with the game available on TSN5.
-Tonight is Hockey Fights Cancer night in Ottawa. This event takes on special meaning for the Senators. In July, Senators General Manager Bryan Murray announced he had been diagnosed with cancer. Assistant Coach Mark Reeds has been battling cancer since last season. It’s a disease that has hit close to home for the Senators over the years and chances are all of you likely have friends or family that have been impacted by this horrible disease. Should be a special moment before the game when Murray, Reeds and Sens Foundation Board member Max Keeping drop the ceremonial face-off. You can text SENS to 45678 to make a $10 donation and SENATORS to 45678 for a $5 contribution. The NHL will match funds raised up to a total of $5,000. For more information on Hockey Fights Cancer night, head to the Sens Foundation website.
