In a long year, where the on-ice results have been predictably disappointing, it’s nice that we’ve had some good stories along the way.
Scott Sabourin, AHL-journeyman, getting a shot in the NHL and scoring in his first game. Mark Borowiecki doubling his previous career-high in goals and making time to fight crime along the way. Anthony Duclair’s breakout year, Nick Paul’s arrival as an everyday NHLer and Brady Tkachuk ruining the day of the opposition most games.
You have to squint sometimes but there are highlights there if you look for them. Tonight is going to be another special moment hidden in a mostly unpleasant season.
The return of Bobby Ryan.
Bobby’s story, which began well before his arrival in this city, has been well-documented. And when he bravely stepped in front of the cameras last week and outlined what he has been dealing with the last couple months, he gave us all an important reminder that professional athletes are people too.
Listening to Bobby, it’s clear that he is in a much better place right now. How that translates on the ice remains to be seen but I’ll certainly be cheering for him along the way.
Welcome back, Bobby!
The Senators will have to do a little more line up shuffling ahead of this one but the good news is it sounds like they’ll have a full team at the rink in time for puck drop. Baby steps!
Filip Chlapik was recalled from Belleville earlier today and Rudolfs Balcers has equipment now and draws in. Anthony Duclair left last night’s game with a foot injury that is expected to keep him out for a little while. Colin White is also missing tonight’s game with an injury, likely related to that big hit he took against the Blue Jackets.
A best guess at a lineup that we’ll all chuckle at a couple seasons from now.
Balcers-Anisimov-Ryan
Tkachuk-Tierney-Brown
Paul-Chlapik-Hawryluk
Boedker-Peca-Sabourin
Chabot-Hainsey
Reilly-Zaitsev
Englund-Jaros
Puck drop is scheduled for just after 8:00 PM. The game is available on TSN5, RDS2 and I found an internet stream that seems to work pretty well.
A closer look at tonight’s match-up
| HEAD2HEAD |  |
 |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 21-30-12 (53 pts) | 30-23-8 (68 pts) |
| Goals For | 2.65 (26th) | 3.15 (15th) |
| Goals Against | 3.35 (29th) | 3.16 (T-22nd) |
| Power Play | 15.4% (28th) | 15.9% (27th) |
| Penalty Kill | 78.2% (22nd) | 73.8% (31st) |
| Shots For | 30.4 (24th) | 33.2 (4th) |
| Shots Against | 33.8 (29th) | 30.8 (12th) |
| Leading Scorers | Tkachuk- 38 pts Brown- 38 pts Duclair- 37 pts |
Josi- 57 pts Forsberg- 42 pts Duchene- 38 pts |
| Starting Goalie | Craig Anderson 200-165-46 3.23 GAA, .914 sv% |
Juuse Saros 12-10-4 2.95 GAA, .904 sv% |
