The Ottawa Senators look to continue their home ice domination when they play the third game in a crucial five game homestand.
Tonight's opposition is the New Jersey Devils- a team that currently sits in 7th in the Eastern Conference, just four points back of the 5th place Senators. There all big at this time of year but obviously another crucial two points on the line at Scotiabank Place tonight.
The Senators catch a bit of a break tonight as the New Jersey Devils roll into town without their best player.
Ilya Kovalchuk suffered a shoulder injury in the third period of Jersey's win over the Panthers on Saturday night and he's expected to miss at least a couple weeks. Kovalchuk is second in points behind Patrick Elias and has been averaging an incredible 25:13 in ice time a game. Huge loss for the Devils.
At practice yesterday, Head Coach Paul MacLean indicated that Ben Bishop will get the start for Ottawa. It's unlikely the Sens find a taker for Bishop before the deadline but it certainly helps to have him playing games. Martin Brodeur will start for the Devils.
Craig Anderson was on the ice with his teammates for the morning skate and took shots for the first time in a month. He's still not quite ready to return but this obviously a step in the right direction Here is how MacLean lined them up at the morning skate.
Latendresse-Turris-Alfredsson
Greening-Zibanejad-Silfverberg
Dziurzynski-Smith-Neil
Kassian-Regin-Condra
Wiercioch-Gonchar
Methot-Gryba
Lundin-Phillips
Kaspars Daugavins and Jim O'Brien are the odd men out up front while Andre Benoit is a healthy scratch on defence.
Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:30 PM (or 4:30 PM for me!) with the game available on Sportsnet and the radio at the Team 1200.
