After ten long years, the Eastern Conference Finals have finally returned to the Nation’s Capital.
GO SENS GO!
With each team taking a game in Pittsburgh, the series is now a best of five. Except now, the Senators have home ice advantage. The Sens host the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 3 of the East Final tonight at the Canadian Tire Centre.
Through the first two games of this series, the Senators have done a lot of things right. They defended well and generated plenty at 5 on 5 in Game 1. In Game 2, the defence was tight again but their offensive opportunities were limited. With a depleted Penguins blueline and the energy of the home town fans, the Senators offence should look a lot more dangerous tonight.
GO SENS GO!!
Perhaps it’s because they find hockey boring but the crowds in Pittsburgh for Game 1 and 2 were pathetic. The noise levels would have been considered disappointing for a Saturday night game during the regular season. Aside from a periodic toot on the ol’ air horn, there was barely a whisper from the Penguins faithful.
It’s time for Sens fans to show them how it’s done.
GO SENS GO!!!
The team will hold an optional morning skate at the CTC this morning and we should find out about any potential line up changes shortly after. Although don’t be surprised if Guy Boucher goes with the ol’ “game time decision” routine.
Viktor Stalberg is expected to be available for this one and would likely take the spot of Ryan Dzingel or Tommy Wingels. On defence, Mark Borowiecki is getting closer to a return and was mentioned as a possibility sometime during this series but it doesn’t seem like he’s there yet.
We may see some juggling in the forward combinations too but we’ll assume same line up until Guy tells us otherwise.
MacArthur-Turris-Hoffman
Ryan-Pageau-Stone
Dzingel/Stalberg-Brassard-Burrows
Pyatt-Smith-Wingels
Methot-Karlsson
Phaneuf-Ceci
Claesson-Wideman
Craig Anderson gets the start in the Ottawa goal. Puck drop is scheduled for just after 8:00 PM.
GO SENS GO!!!!
The Canadian Tire Centre has been rocking throughout these playoffs but Ottawa- it’s time to find another gear. The opportunity to attend an Eastern Conference Finals game doesn’t come very often so I expect everyone in that rink to make the most of it. During these playoffs, the Senators have played some of their best hockey on home ice. They clearly feed off the energy of a packed house and a raucous crowd. Sens fans are going to take it to another level tonight.
GO SENS GO!!!!!
-Congratulations to Ottawa Senators General Manager Pierre Dorion who yesterday was announced as a finalist for GM of the Year. David Poile and Peter Chiarelli were the other nominees. What Dorion has been able to do with this team during his first year as an NHL GM has been impressive. His move for Mike Condon turned out to be a season saver and throughout the year he has been periodically adding to his line up, with an emphasis on guys that have playoff experience. It’s paid off in a big way as his team is one of four left standing in the middle of May.
-And in news that brought a smile to the face of the entire city, Jonathan Pitre’s latest transplant was a success! If you’ve followed Jonathan’s story over the last couple years, you’ll know two things- that Jonathan is the Senators’ biggest fan out there and that he’s one of the strongest and most inspirational kids you’ll ever encounter. Congratulations to Jonathan and his family on some much needed good news. We’re all behind you!
