It’s not a term that I take lightly.
But in the middle of a four-game slide and with panic setting in around the Nation’s Capital, it’s time. You might think that a random night in early November is a tad premature but to that I say, mind your own damn business this is my website and I can say whatever the heck I want!
Sorry, sorry. I’m a little on edge. We all are.
But as the Philadelphia Flyers roll into town for a Saturday night showdown against the Ottawa Senators, there is no doubt. It’s here. It’s now.
This is…THE BIGGEST GAME OF THE YEAR!
Anyway, it’s a big game.
After shuffling the deck late in Thursday’s loss to the Golden Knights, it sounds like the Senators will have a bit of a different look up front to start this one. The line of Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stützle and Claude Giroux appeared to click and based on yesterday’s practice, it looks like the Coach will go back to that trio. Dylan Gambrell was the odd man out up front yesterday.
Blueline is also extremely TBD. DJ Smith suggested there are some “bumps and bruises” on the back end so we’ll see who actually plays. Jacob Bernard-Docker was recalled from Belleville yesterday, so he’s an option.
The Senators didn’t skate this morning so we won’t know the lineup until closer to game time. Exciting, right?!
Tkachuk-Stützle-Giroux
DeBrincat-Pinto-Batherson
Motte-Brassard-Joseph
Kelly-Kastelic-Watson
Chabot-Brannstrom
Sanderson-Hamonic
Holden-Zaitsev/Bernard-Docker
What we do know is that Cam Talbot gets his first start as a member of the Ottawa Senators.
We also know that the game is available on TV and radio but the only real way to watch this one is at the CTC with me and thousands of other strangers.
And now, the HEAD2HEAD table.
Waaaaaait a minute.
| HEAD2HEAD |  |
 |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 5-3-2 (12 pts) | 4-6-0 (8 pts) |
| Goals For | 2.60 (30th) | 3.70 (5th) |
| Goals Against | 2.70 (16th) | 3.60 (24th) |
| Power Play | 18.9% (23rd) | 21.2% (15th) |
| Penalty Kill | 79.4% (14th) | 78.0% (18th) |
| Shots For | 26.3 (30th) | 31.9 (15th) |
| Shots Against | 36.7 (30th) | 34.3 (25th) |
| Leading Scorers | Konecny- 11 pts Hayes- 10 pts DeAngelo- 7 pts Farabee- 6 pts Provorov- 5 pts |
Tkachuk- 15 pts Batherson- 11 pts DeBrincat- 9 pts Giroux- 9 pts Stützle- 8 pts |
| Starting Goalie | Carter Hart 5-0-2 2.10 GAA, .943 sv% |
Cam Talbot 0-0-0 0.00 GAA, 1.000 sv% |
That’s more like it!
