Just nine games to go in the regular season. Here we sit, 73 games into the 2011/2012 campaign and the Ottawa Senators are right in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Their fate is by no means decided though and this last stretch will determine exactly where they fit in the playoff picture. Next up for the Senators, a home game against the sixth place New Jersey Devils.
With both the Washington Capitals and Winnipeg Jets losing on Sunday night, the Sens chances of making the playoffs improved slightly. There’s more scoreboard watching to do tonight with the Leafs in Boston, the Devils in New York, the Sabres taking on the Lightning and Washington visiting a powerful Detroit team.
The Sens may not play tonight but the right combination of outcomes could mean another step towards a return to the playoffs this spring.
Ottawa practiced this morning and once again had three goalies on the ice. Craig Anderson is inching towards a return and could be in the line up as soon as Friday in Montreal. In the meantime, Ben Bishop will get another start against the New Jersey Devils.
Couple players were absent from practice today including Matt Gilroy and Jason Spezza who were both away for personal reasons. Spezza was attending a funeral while Gilroy was at a wake.
Jesse Winchester skated on the top line in Spezza’s absence but he still isn't ready to return to the line up. With Matt Gilroy not at practice, Matt Carkner took his spot on a pairing with Chris Phillips.
- How about the season Filip Kuba has put together? A guy that appeared to be on his last legs with the organization last season, Kuba has been a rock on the Sens blue line. Playing alongside 21 year old Erik Karlsson, Kuba has been a stabilizing force and allows Karlsson to play a more aggressive game. Heading into tonight's action, Kuba is tied with Nik Lidstrom for 4th in the NHL at +25.
- Ottawa Senators first round pick Matt Puempel will finish the season with the Binghamton Senators. Puempel has had injury troubles at times this season but is healthy and will gain some valuable experience from a brief stint in the AHL. Puempel had 33 points in 30 games with the Peterborough Petes this season.
