Five days without hockey right in the middle of the season is usually grueling but this break was a little more pleasant knowing that the Ottawa Senators went in playing some of their best hockey of the season.
A quick refresh on where they left off five long days ago.
Mike Hoffman’s power play overtime winner gave the Sens a dramatic 2-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks. It was Ottawa’s fourth straight win and fifth straight game with at least a point. The recent hot streak has the Senators sitting comfortably in second place in their Division, four points clear of the third place Boston Bruins.
Now the Senators are back at it against the third place team from the Metropolitan Division- the New York Rangers.
The Rangers got off to a blistering start but have watched as the rest of the toughest division in hockey slowly closed the gap. They come into this one with a 23-12-1 record on the season, dropping their last two games before the holiday break including a 7-4 loss against the Minnesota Wild.
No morning skate today but Boucher is expected to meet with the media around 1:00 PM to provide updates on his lineup. Expecting to see the same 18 guys as the other night against the Ducks but wouldn’t be surprised to see Hoffman back on that line with Brassard and Stone. We’ll assume same combinations as last game for now.
Smith-Brassard-Stone
Dzingel-Turris-Ryan
Hoffman-Pageau-Pyatt
Kelly-Lazar-Neil
Methot-Karlsson
Phaeneuf-Ceci
Borowiecki-Wideman
Mike Condon is expected to get the start in goal for the Senators. Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:00 PM.
-Pretty impressive debut for all five of the Senators prospects participating in this year’s World Junior Tournament. Thomas Chabot led all blueliners in ice time and picked up a power play assist. I’m not entirely sure how his game will ultimately translate at the NHL level but it’s hard to recall a Junior player as smooth and poised as Chabot. Most of the time. Colin White was also impressive in his debut, scoring a highlight reel goal, and looking solid on the top line for the Americans. He added an assist as well. Jonathan Dahlen scored for the Swedes, Filip Ahl picked up an assist and Filip Chlapik was held pointless but played big minutes in the Czech Republic’s surprising win over Finland. Chlapik and Chabot both play again today.
