After dropping Game 3 on home ice, the Ottawa Senators have now lost their last seven playoff games at Scotiabank Place.
That is a slide the Sens must find a way to halt tonight when they host the New York Rangers in Game 4 of their best of seven series. A win and the Sens are right back in the series. A loss and they head back to Madison Square Garden on the brink of elimination.
While the Senators have struggled at home during recent playoff games, it has nothing to do with the energy and passion of the fans. The crowd that packed SBP on Monday night was one of the loudest and most energetic to ever watch a playoff game here in Ottawa and will need to match that intensity tonight. While the Senators did fall short in Game 3, you could tell they were feeding off the crowd.
For what it’s worth, I really feel like the Senators have been the better team through three games.
If not for some spectacular goaltending by Henrik Lundqvist, this could be a completely different series. The Sens haven’t really been getting any bounces through the first three games and are due for a little luck to swing their way. If they can find a way to beat Lundqvist early, it should help them relax a little and force a defensively stingy Rangers team to open up.
We’ve said it before but obviously the power play is going to be critical. Guys like Spezza, Karlsson and Michalek have to find a way to get the team’s struggling PP back on track and it has to start tonight.
Captain Daniel Alfredsson's status has not changed from yesterday. After taking the morning skate ahead of Game 3, Alfie suffered a set back and does not appear to be close to a return although MacLean would not rule him out. Bobby Butler appears to be the likely candidate to draw in but Mac also hinted they could go with Mike Hoffman, who was on the ice for the morning skate.
On the blueline, it appears as though Carkner draws in but again, MacLean would not confirm. Here is how the Sens lined up this morning but we'll have to wait until game time to find out the final line up.
Greening-Spezza-Michalek
Foligno-Turris-Butler/Hoffman
Condra-Smith-Neil
Konopka-O’Brien-Winchester
Kuba-Karlsson
Phillips-Carkner/Gilroy
Cowen-Gonchar
Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:30 PM with the game available on CBC. If you are heading down to the rink for this one, get ready to be loud! It’s clear the players feed off the energy of the home town crowd so we need to make sure we do our part.
GO SENS GO!
