Is Scott Cullen a Dumbass? + Revenge: Scotiabank Style

I’m sorry, I’ll continue with the game tonight but I need to look into TSN’s rankings “expert” Scott Cullen. He has compiled a list of the top team this season. If you didn’t read it, he put Ottawa in 24th place this year. 24th place, folks. He put the Kings, Predators, Canadiens, and Panthers over our beloved Sens. Excuse me, but we finished in 22nd place last year, and despite an improved club with the additions of Alex Kovalev, Milan Michalek, and Jonathan Cheechoo add the fact that we don’t have that cancer guy anymore, and we’re worse this year?!? Ok, never mind about that, because the Sens will show him this year. Later, he put the Flames in 16th place despite the addition of Jay Bouwmeester , the expected emergence of Dion Phaneuf and coach Brent Sutter. So, Cammalleri left but now that should improve the chemistry between Jarome Iginla and Olli Jokinen. Then, today he puts FREAKIN’ FLORIDA PANTHERS in 15th place. Tell me now, they lost Bouwmeester, their conerstone player and have no scoring at all, but somehow they’re ranked higher than the Sens, Rangers, Flames, Oilers, and Habs? No offense to Frank over at The Rat Trick, but the Panthers will be in the bottom 5 of the NHL this season. Guaranteed. This proves Scott Cullen needs to get his head re-examined.

Now, onto something more peaceful. Scotiabank Place is gearing for revenge tonight as the Sens host the Panthers. The Cats beat our faithful Sens 3-1 last night, which was expected. Tonight’s a different story as we ice a different lineup. Here’s how it will be tonight…

Foligno – Spezza – Alfredsson
Cheechoo – Fisher – Kovalev
Zubov – Z. Smith – O’Brien
Yablonski – Winchester – Keller

Phillips – Volchenkov
Kuba – Kudelka
D. Smith – Karlsson

Elliott (1st and 2nd periods)
Brodeur (3rd period)

I would have to say it’s a victory for us tonight. After seeing the Panthers lineup for tonight, the only two forwards that will make the team are Cory Stillman and Rostislav Olesz. Bryan McCabe and Jordan Leopold speahead the defense along with 2009 first rounder Dmitry Kulikov, but they’re not expected to be a big threat. Milan Michalek will play on Friday against the Habs. Erik Karlsson looked great last night along with Alexandre Picard so they’re might be some competition for that 6th defenceman spot. I have a feeling AK27 will have a huge game tonight, in his debut in front of the home crowd.

Ottawa 5 (Kuba, Kovalev, Keller, Alfredsson, Foligno), Florida 1 (Frolik)

Pre-Season Record: 1-0

For those living in Ottawa, watch the game on Rogers TV. For those living outside of Ottawa, bear to be annyoed by the Panthers radio team.