Tonight at Scotiabank Place, the Ottawa Senators have a terrific opportunity in front of their home town fans.
The 7th seeded Senators can take a commanding 3-1 series lead with a win over the Northeast Champion, Montreal Canadiens. A loss and this becomes a best of three series with the Habs having a home ice advantage. It goes without saying, but this is the biggest game of the season for the Ottawa Senators.
After the debacle that was Game 3, you have to think the Habs come out a different team to start the game tonight. Despite his goofy theatrics in the media, I think Therrien should be able to refocus his team and get them back to playing hockey. With that said, if the Sens could get the jump on Montreal early, we know they are an easily frustrated group.
At the same time, the Sens need to hit the reset button as well. The win in Game 3 was massive but as MacLean has emphasized, they haven’t accomplished anything. They need to put that last game behind them but build on the things that they did right last game. That includes hitting everything that moves and converting power play chances when they are handed to them.
A strong start is going to be huge for Ottawa in this one.
Line ups are pretty hard to decipher at this time of year with so many guys resting rather than taking the morning skate and both coaches trying to outwit the other.
Alfredsson, Greening and Michalek all missed their second straight morning skate but are expected to play. Erik Condra missed the skate as well and Latendresse was a late arrival. Patrick Wiercioch suffered a lower body injury in the last game and will not be available. At the same time, Eric Gryba returns from his two game suspension and will play.
Combinations can and will change but here is how the Sens are expected to start.
Michalek-Pageau-Alfredsson
Conacher-Zibanejad-Silfverberg
Greening-Turris-Condra
Kassian-Smith-Neil
Methot-Karlsson
Phillips-Gonchar
Cowen-Gryba
To fans going to the game tonight, we need more of the same from Sunday. I’ve been to a ton of playoff games at SBP and that was one of the most energetic crowds, start to finish. And it made a difference on the ice. BE LOUD!
GO SENS GO!
