(UPDATE 3:02 PM)- As expected, Craig Anderson will get the start in goal for the Senators tonight. Matt Carkner draws back into the line up and Brian Lee heads to the press box. Game is on CBC and puck drop is just after 7:00PM.
A night after another thrilling win at Scotiabank Place, the Ottawa Senators will try to close out the 2011 schedule in style when they visit the Buffalo Sabres.
The Sens should be riding a high after a dramatic 4-3 overtime win over the Calgary Flames last night. A win punctuated by a one time blast that was the 400th goal of Daniel Alfredsson's amazing career.
As Ottawa Senators fans, I think we sometime forget just how lucky we are to have a Captain like Alfie. The NHL's longest serving captain has played his whole career in our city and has poured his heart and soul into this team. When he ripped that that OT winner home last night it was just another amazing moment for a guy that should be a Hall of Famer when his career is all said and done.
The reaction of his teammates, the crowd and Alfredsson himself during the three star announcement showed you just how special it was for Alfie to hit that milestone on home ice.
Last night's win was just another in a long line of dramatic rallies by Paul MacLean's team. Even with the Sens down 3-0 through twenty, I had a feeling the game was still in reach. That`s just the way things have been for Ottawa this season.
They refuse to quit.
Foligno got the ball rolling, Zack Smith made it a one goal game and a dazzling effort by Erik Karlsson set the stage for Alfie. I don't know if I was alone in this but I could just feel that Alfredsson was going to get the winner. When the Flames took a penalty in OT, the stage was set.
Looking on from the comfort of the Wiser's Box, I watched Alfie score one of the most memorable goals I have witnessed at SBP. I have now sat in the same seat in that box while the Sens rallied to beat Columbus with two late goals, Foligno scored in the dying seconds to beat the Panthers, Butler scored in OT to beat the Panthers again and and last night, when Alfie scored 400.
Needless to say I will be petitioning for a full time seat in that box!
The Sens won't have a ton of time to enjoy this victory as they play an important contest in Buffalo tonight. Ottawa sits in 9th in the East, but are tied in points with the 6th place Devils. A win tonight could see the Sens jump a few teams depending what happens around the league.
No morning skate for the Sens today but expect Craig Anderson to get the start in goal. He was excellent in relief of Auld last night and his steady goaltending allowed the Sens to rally.
The Sens are on the ice for an optional morning skate at 11:30 AM this morning in Buffalo so I'll pass along any line up updates as they become available.
- A final note- Thanks to all of you that took the time to cast your ballot yesterday. Really sounded like a ton of you took up the challenge and with the voting set to close on January 4th, we need to keep the ball rolling. Our Sens are in a great spot and should be well represented in this year's All Star Game. Thank you, Sens fans!
