After a day of discussing provincial tax policy and potential nick names for a goalie that has played three games this season, fans of the Ottawa Senators can finally get back to talking about hockey.
Coming off a big win over the Boston Bruins on Tuesday night, the Sens return to action tonight when they host former Senators Ray Emery and Marian Hossa and the rest of the Chicago Blackhawks in a battle of two 6th place teams at Scotiabank Place.
The Chicago Blackhawks continue to be the Jekyll and Hyde team of the NHL.
At times they look like Stanley Cup Contenders while at others they are losing nine straight and looking like a team that could fall right out of the Western Conference playoff picture. On Wednesday, Marian Hossa and Patrick Kane looked dominant against a hapless Leafs defence. Ottawa will have to be at their best against those two tonight.
Ray Emery, who took over for Corey Crawford the other night, will get the start for Chicago.
It will be the first time Emery has played a game in Ottawa since leaving the Nation’s Capital after the 2007-2008 season. Emery was a larger than life personality during his time here and was between the pipes during Ottawa’s run to the finals. He deserves to be cheered by the fans at SBP tonight.
For Ottawa, Robin Lehner will make his third straight start. After a shutout in Boston the other night, the first of his NHL career, Lehner’s popularity has skyrocketed the last couple days. He’ll have to be sharp against a dynamic Hawks offence.
No changes expected to the Ottawa line up which means Kaspars Daugavins is likely the odd man out up front.
Michalek-Spezza-Butler
Greening-Turris-Alfredsson
Foligno-O'Brien-Neil
Konopka-Smith-Condra
Kuba- Karlsson
Phillips-Gilroy
Cowen-Gonchar
- Craig Anderson spoke to the media yesterday and indicated that while he has been skating this week, there is still no time frame for his return. It certainly doesn't sound like he'll be back any time soon. Anderson was reluctant to discuss the details of how the injury occurred.
