After dropping the first two games of the series in Pittsburgh, the Ottawa Senators return to Scotiabank Place for the biggest game of their season.
In Game 1 they looked overwhelmed, in Game 2 they showed they can play with this Pittsburgh team. Now they hope the lift of playing in front of their home town crowd will be enough to get them back in their Eastern Conference Semifinal match up.
There are those that doubt the significance of home ice advantage in the NHL playoffs. It's safe to say those people have not set foot in Scotiabank Place at playoff time. It absolutely does make a difference. We saw it in Round 1, when the difference between Game 2 and 3 against the Montreal Canadiens was night and day. This team does feed off the energy of the home town crowd and they'll be looking for an extra lift tonight.
I've been guilty of overusing the expression "must win game" but it is safe to say that applies tonight. 2-1 and this is a whole new series. 3-0 and the Sens will be all but cooked. I expect the Senators to play like their season is on the line.
Obviously the team should get a big lift from the return of Jason Spezza. The team's number one centre has been sidelined since late January and his presence means that other plays can slide into their more natural roles. With Spezza returning, Guillaume Latendresse returns to the press box. Here is how the Coach lined up his guys at the morning skate.
Conacher-Spezza-Michalek
Silfverberg-Turris-Alfredsson
Greening-Pageau-Condra
Smith-Zibanejad-Neil
Methot-Karlsson
Cowen-Gonchar
Phillips-Benoit
Craig Anderson gets the start for the Senators. Vokoun will start for the Penguins.
If you're lucky enough to attend the game tonight, be ready to make some noise. And if you're watching the game from home, make some noise too. Let's see if we can't get this series turned around.
GO SENS GO!
