With the teams around them faltering, the Ottawa Senators continue to pick up points at the most awkward of times. Tonight they visit the Tampa Bay Lightning and a win could potentially vault them pass both the Panthers and the Islanders.
With that in mind, the Sens will start Curtis McElhinney in Tampa.
I have resisted the temptation to join tank nation to this point but even I am willing to admit that a loss against the Bolts tonight wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. Ottawa currently holds the 28th spot in the NHL but are at risk of passing a couple of the teams ahead of them with a win tonight.
I happen to think 3rd overall is almost the same as 2nd (assuming Edmonton or Colorado takes Larsson) but once you get down to 5th you start to run the risk of missing out on a potential star. Couturier wouldn’t exactly be a dud but I’m just not convinced he is at the level of the other three forwards (Nugent-Hopkins, Landeskog, Strome)
Other than McElhinney in goal, no line up changes are expected for the Senators. Same forward combinations up front.
Greening-Spezza-Butler/Michalek-Shannon-Condra/Foligno-Winchester-Neil/Svatos-Smith-Lessard
Mentioned this on Twitter and in the comment section earlier but word is the Sens are still the favourites to land NCAA free agent Stephane Da Costa. Minnesota and possibly Florida are also still in the mix.
Thanks to everyone that sent in an entry for today’s contest. Will email the winner shortly after the game tonight.
If there is more than one person with the correct answer, I will draw randomly from all winning entries. Winner gets a pair of tickets in the Wiser’s Suite on the 100 level. Good luck!
And thanks again to the good folks at Wiser’s for hosting this terrific giveaway. Be sure to stop by and “like” their Facebook page for access to some other cool promos and giveaways. Click here to join The Wiserhood!
