For the Ottawa Senators, the most important thing is finding a way to bust out of an ugly slump against a tough Nashville Predators team.
With that said, there will be plenty of other storylines to watch for tonight at SBP. Defenceman Chris Phillips will play his 1000th game in the NHL, all in a Sens uniform and Mike Fisher will return to the Ottawa for the first time since last season's trade.
For defenceman Chris Phillips it will be a special night as he hits an impressive milestone in front of friends and family at SBP.
Drafted 1st overall in 1996, Phillips has been a steady as they come on the Sens blueline and will be forever remembered for scoring one of the biggest goals in franchise history. In the five seasons leading up to this one, Phillips, who is as durable as they come, missed just one regular season game.
Big Rig is just the 46th player in NHL history to play 1000 games with the same team.
The other major storyline is the return of fan favourite, Mike Fisher. Like Phillips, Fisher was a pillar in the community and a face of the franchise both on and off the ice. Images like this one really show what Mike Fisher was all about.
When the Sens traded Fisher almost a year ago to the day, it sent shock waves through the Ottawa fan base. Fisher was one of the most beloved players in the history of the Sens organization and while fans knew a trade was possible, it was still tough to see him go. It will be great for the Ottawa fans to have a chance to recognize Fisher tonight.
And while Big Rig's milestone and Fisher's return are grabbing the headlines, this is a hockey game the Sens have to win.
Coming into this one having lost seven straight, the Sens will turn to Alex Auld for the first time in 2012. Auld's last start came back on December 30th against the Calgary Flames. MacLean will also shuffle his line up a little bit as Matt Carkner and Zenon Konopka will be healthy scratches in favour of Brian Lee and Bobby Butler.
Here is how the Sens are expected to line up.
Michalek-Spezza-Butler
Greening-Turris-Alfredsson
Daugavins-Smith-Condra
Foligno-O'Brien-Neil
Kuba-Karlsson
Cowen-Gonchar
Phillips-Lee
Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:30 PM with all the action available on Sportsnet and Team 1200. Keep an eye on the comment section for any streams that become available closer to game time.
- In Sens prospect news, Ottawa 67's star Shane Prince was named the OHL's player of the month for January. Prince racked up 24 points in just 12 games and was an impressive +16 over that stretch.
