The Ottawa Senators played one of their worst games of the season in Carolina on Friday night.
They’ll need to forget about it in an awful hurry as they begin a crucial Sunday/Monday back to back in the state of Florida. Up first- the Florida Panthers
A quick glance at the standings shows why tonight’s game is so significant. Not only are the Senators looking to keep pace with the Canadiens for top spot in the Atlantic but the teams behind them are right there. And that chase pack includes the surging Florida Panthers.
It probably should not come as a huge surprise to see this Panthers team back in the playoff mix. Their underlying numbers suggested they were due for a turnaround at some point and the return of both Jonathan Huberdeau and Aleksander Barkov proved to be just the boost they needed. Despite dropping their last two contests and sitting 5th in the division, the Panthers are just four points back of Ottawa.
Clearly a massive two points on the line tonight in Sunrise.
Yesterday, the Senators announced they’ve demoted both Casey Bailey and Max McCormick and called up Phil Varone and Mike Blunden in their place. Mark Stone and Mike Hoffman both took part in the morning skate but are being called game time decisions. Lazar is injured and won’t play.
Here’s how they’ll look if both Stone and Hoffman can play.
Dzingel-Brassard-Stone
Smith-Turris-Hoffman
Wingels-Pageau-Pyatt
Kelly-Varone-Neil
Methot-Karlsson
Phaneuf-Ceci
Borowiecki-Wideman
Craig Anderson is in the starter’s end at the morning skate. Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:30 PM.
-Just three days to go until the NHL Trade Deadline and Pierre Dorion continues his search for some help up front. Bruce Garrioch mentioned a few new names this morning including PA Parenteau, Patrick Sharp and Jiri Hudler. And we know they have interest in a couple of the bigger names too including Matt Duchene and Martin Hanzal. It’s clear Dorion wants to do something prior to the deadline and forward help remains his focus. He’s not the only GM shopping though and at some point in the next couple days, he’ll need to decide if he’s willing to go beyond tire kicking.
