After a stretch that saw the Sens play 9 of 10 games on the road, they finally return to Scotiabank Place for some home cookin'.
Ottawa will play their next five games at SBP and seven of their next ten. It all starts this weekend when the Sens play back to back games at SBP, Islanders on Friday night and then a huge game against the Leafs on Saturday.
Despite letting a 3-1 lead slip against the powerhouse Bruins, there were plenty of positives for the Sens to take away from Tuesday night's tilt. They were the better team for large stretches and carried the play 5 on 5. If they can put in an effort like that on Friday night, they should be able to snap this four game slide.
The Sens were on the ice for practice this afternoon and MacLean juggled his lines a little bit. Erik Condra was moved to the top line with Jason Spezza and Milan Michalek while Colin Greening skated on the third line.
Here is how the forward combinations looked.
Condra-Spezza-Michalek
Foligno-Turris-Alfredsson
Greening-Smith-Butler
Daugavins-Konopka-Neil
By all accounts, the Sens bench boss was in a surly mood at practice today. Demanding perfection from his team and stopping drills on a couple of occassions to ask his group to turn up the intensity level. MacLean closed the practice with the dreaded bag skate.
Exactly what you would expect from a team that has lost four straight.
On defence, Chris Phillips was absent this afternoon and to listen to some fans talk, the veteran has been absent for the past month or so. Obviously last night was not the best game for the veteran defenceman and he has to find a way to be better. He should be fine for tomorrow night.
Phillips sits just four games shy of 1000 for his career.
- Jesse Winchester, who has been sidelined with a concussion, was on the ice for practice this morning but left early. There is still no time frame for his return. Meanwhile, Brian Lee was at practice but still no word on his status for Friday's game.
- Sens are off tonight but for those of you looking for some hockey to watch, be sure to tune in to the CHL Top Prospects Game at 10:00 PM on Sportsnet.
- Remember to book your spot for the first SensChirp Gathering at Local Heroes on Clyde this Friday! $50 (Special discount for SC Readers) gets you a ticket to the game, $15 worth of food, transportation to and from the game and a chance at some prizes along the way. Any questions email me at senschirp@hotmail.com or call 613 224 3873 and mention the SensChirp Gathering to book your spot.
