With 11 games to go in the NHL season and the Ottawa Senators sitting in 6th place, it feels strange to already be using the term "must win".
But this evening's game against the Florida Panthers certainly has that feel to it. The Sens have dropped three straight coming into tonight and have watched the teams behind them gain ground. Paul MacLean and his group need to get the ship righted against the Panthers in Sunrise tonight.
The disappointment of losses to the Leafs, Bruins and Sabres can quickly be forgotten if Ottawa can take care of business and grab two points against the Panthers.
But as the Sens learned in Buffalo on Friday, even the teams occupying the last few spots in the Eastern Conference are not to be taken lightly. Florida has won 3 of their last 4 and have posted a 5-5-0 record in their last ten. The Panthers lost last night at home to the Capitals.
The Sens welcome back a familiar face in the crease as Craig Anderson makes his first start since suffering a high ankle sprain suffered back on February 21. Before going down with that injury, Anderson was well on his way to a Vezina-worthy season, posting an amazing 1.49 GAA and an unheard of .952 save percentage.
MacLean will make one change to the line up as Andre Benoit draws back in and Mike Lundin comes out. Here is how the Sens are expected to line up
Latendresse-Turris-Alfredsson
Conacher-Zibanejad-Silfverberg
Greening-Smith-Neil
Kassian-Regin-Condra
Methot-Gryba
Wiercioch-Gonchar
Benoit-Phillips
Puck drop is scheduled for just after 6:00 PM with the game available on Sportsnet and on the radio at The Team 1200.
GO SENS GO!
