With just one regulation loss in their last eleven games, the Ottawa Senators are one of the hottest team’s in the NHL.
It has been an impressive run for the Sens and one that started with a win over the Pittsburgh Penguins back on December 16th. Tonight, the Sens will take on those same Penguins in a game that kicks off a tough road stretch for one of the NHL's most surprising teams.
The balance of January will see the Senators play nine of ten games away from the friendly confines of Scotiabank Place. The only home game comes next Monday when the Jets are in town. This is a stretch of games that will go a long way towards deciding where the Sens finish in the tight Eastern Conference.
First up is a hurtin’ Pittsburgh Penguins squad.
With the likes of Sidney Crosby, Kris Letang and now Jordan Staal all sidelined, the Pens have started to slide. James Neal looked like he was going to be out as well but he was on the ice for the morning skate and will play. Dan Bylsma’s team has dropped four straight, and scored just five goals over that stretch. With that said, the Sens can not afford to take the Penguins lightly.
Pittsburgh is just four points back of Ottawa with three games in hand. Paul MacLean will make one change to the line up that rallied for a win over the Flyers on Sunday night. Brian Lee in for Matt Carkner.
Greening-Spezza-Michalek
Condra-Turris-Alfredsson
Foligno-Smith-Neil
Daugavins-Konopka-Butler
Kuba-Karlsson
Cowen-Gonchar
Phillips-Lee
The NHL’s third star of the week Craig Anderson gets another start in the Ottawa goal and will debut this new mask. Brent Johnson goes for the Penguins. Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:00 PM with all the action available on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.
