It is hard to overstate the magnitude of the two home games facing the Ottawa Senators this weekend.
The slumping Boston Bruins have left the door to the Northeast title wide open for the Senators. With the Canadiens and Maple Leafs in town this weekend, the Sens have an opportunity to seize control of the division for the first time this season.
In a year where nobody gave this Senators team a chance, snagging the Division would send a huge statement to the rest of the league. Add to that the fact that the eighth place Capitals are just four points back and the Sabres just seven points, you can see just how big this weekend set really is.
On Wednesday night, the Habs edged Ottawa in a shootout so you know MacLean's group will be looking to exact a little bit of revenge. The Sens started that game strong and considering the magnitude of this game, I would expect a similar effort out of Ottawa this evening.
Carey Price starts again for Montreal.
Meanwhile, the Sens will go with Ben Bishop tonight. With Anderson looking like he could return as early as next week, Bishop needs to continue his strong play in goal over the course of the weekend. One change expected to the Ottawa line up as Bobby Butler draws in for Kaspars Daugavins.
Here is how the Sens are expected to line up.
Greening-Spezza-Michalek
Klinkhammer-Turris-Alfredsson
Condra-Smith-Butler
Folingo-O'Brien-Neil
Kuba-Karlsson
Cowen-Gonchar
Phillips-Gilroy
Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:00 PM with all the action available on CBC and RDS. I could be wrong but this has to be the first time a Sens game has been broadcast on CBC on a Friday night. If you are headed to the game, note the early start!
GO SENS GO!
