Having reeled off three straight victories, the Ottawa Senators seem to be getting their game together as they hit the final stretch of the NHL’s regular season.
Their winning streak will be put to the test tonight though when the hottest team in the league, the Washington Capitals roll into Scotiabank Place. The Caps have won eight straight games and posted a 9-0-1 record in their last ten. It’s a run that has seen them surge from 10th in the East to a comfortable position atop the Southeast Division with just five games left in their season.
Safe to say the reports of Alex Ovechkin’s time as an elite player being over were greatly exaggerated.
After being openly questioned by media outlets in Canada and the United States after a slow start, Ovechkin has re-established himself as one of the league’s best. His 28 goals are tops in the NHL and he sits in 4th with 48 points in 43 games. Ovechkin has scored a goal in 13 of Washington’s last 16 games.
Meanwhile the Senators seem to have righted the ship after an ugly five game losing streak.
They sit four points clear of the Rangers and Jets who are currently battling at the bottom of the Eastern Conference playoff picture. While Ottawa has to be aware of the teams just behind them, they can also look up and see that the 5th place Leafs are still within striking distance. Toronto leads Ottawa by three points but have played one more game. The two teams play each other for the final time this season on Saturday night.
Paul MacLean will go with the combinations that beat Carolina on Tuesday night, including Craig Anderson in goal. Here is how the Sens are expected line up.
Anderson
Phillips-Methot
Cowen-Gryba
Wiercioch-Gonchar
Michalek-Turris-Alfredsson
Conacher-Zibanejad-Silfverberg
Greening-Pageau-Condra
Latendresse-Smith-Neil
Puck drop is just after 7:30 PM.
GO SENS GO!
- Have been saying it since the first sign of him skating but the goal remains for Erik Karlsson to return to the team in time for playoffs. Yesterday we heard that Karlsson could begin practicing with the team as early as next week. Karlsson watched his teammates from the bench at this morning's skate.
