The Ottawa Senators are in a slump and need to get back on track in a hurry.
With last night’s win over the Oilers, the Leafs have now vaulted the Sens in the standings, bumping Ottawa to the eighth and final playoff spot in the East. With the Capitals not far behind, the Senators need to start picking up points on home ice.
First up, Brian Elliott and the St. Louis Blues. The former-Senator will be eager to put on a show against the team that drafted him and where he played the first 130 games of his NHL career. Elliott was named to the NHL All Star Game this year and has enjoyed a huge bounce back season with the Blues, posting a 15-5-0 record, with a 1.69 GAA and an impressive .938 save percentage.
St. Louis is the stingiest defensive team in the league, which isn’t great news for a slumping Sens offence. The Blues allow a league low 1.94 goals a game.
Key to success in this one is pretty simple- find a way to beat Elliott early. The Senators have been falling behind in games every time out and need to break that trend tonight. An early goal would energize a team that is looking for something to rally around.
Milan Michalek will be playing his 500th game in the NHL tonight. Another milestone is on the horizon as this is game number 999 for defenceman Chris Phillips. He will play 1000 on Thursday against the Predators.
There was some talk the Sens may go to Alex Auld for the first time in 2012 but that is not the case. MacLean will stick with his number one goalie tonight in a game the Sens desperately need to win. Here is how the Senators are expected to line up in front of Anderson.
Greening-Spezza-Michalek
Condra-Turris-Alfredsson
Foligno-Smith-Neil
Daugavins-Konopka-O'Brien
Kuba-Karlsson
Cowen-Gonchar
Phillips-Carkner
Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:30 PM with all the action available on Sportsnet and TVA. The Sens will wear their heritage jersey's for tonight's game.
