At this point in their season, the Ottawa Senators don’t have much to play for other than pride.
The loss to the Rangers on Tuesday all but eliminated any chance they have at the playoffs but that doesn’t mean they should mail it in the rest of the way. The players in that locker room need to show management and fans that they do care and that they are better than what we have seen so far this season. That starts tonight at home against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Tampa is coming off a 5-3 win last night in Toronto. The loss suddenly has people in Toronto keeping a close eye at the teams behind them while for Tampa, the win further solidified their spot in the Eastern Conference standings. Vezina favourite Ben Bishop was the goalie last night and will start again tonight in Ottawa.
Paul MacLean spoke to the media after the morning skate and indicated there would be no changes to the line up. That means Patrick Wiercioch watches another game from the press box. I understand that it’s a little tricky to find room for Wiercioch right now but MacLean has to find a way to get him into some games down the stretch. Here’s how the Senators are expected to line up for this one.
MacArthur-Turris-Ryan
Michalek-Spezza-Hemsky
Greening-Smith-Neil
Hoffman-Zibanejad-Condra
Methot-Karlsson
Phillips-Ceci
Cowen-Gryba
Robin Lehner gets the start in the Ottawa goal with Andrew Hammond, who was called up from Binghamton this morning, as his back up. Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:30 PM.
