Game Day: Ottawa Senators @ San Jose Sharks
By Kevin Lee
Thursday, January 19th, 2011
10:30 pm
Sportsnet, Team 1200
5th East (26-16-6) @3rd West (26-12-5)
The Ottawa Senators begin their Western Conference road trip facing the San Jose Sharks. The Sharks are coming off a 2-1 shootout victory against the Calgary Flames that has helped them remain on top of the Pacific division. The Sens on the other hand are continuing to solidify their playoff hopes after erasing a two goal deficit to defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2. This is the first meeting between these clubs this season.
San Jose is led in scoring by Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton, both sitting at 36 points. Close behind are Joe Pavelski and Logan Couture who are both tied with 32. Goaltender Antti Niemi is having a very solid season thus far. He’s got a 2.27 GAA along with a .920 SV%. Starting goalies have yet to be annouced, but I would lean towards Niemi starting for San Jose and Craig Anderson for Ottawa.
Jesse Winchester (consussion), Peter Regin (shoulder), and Brian Lee (lower body) remain out with injuries for the Sens. Ottawa is also carrying two callups, defenceman Mark Borowiecki and right wing Andre Petersson. Whether or not either of them will play tonight has yet to be decided by Paul MacLean. San Jose is hurting on the injury front, missing two key players in Ryan Clowe (upper body) along with the injury prone and former Senator Martin Havlat (hamstring). However, Clowe may play and will be a game time decision. The Sharks will also be without the services of defencemen Colin White and Jim Vandermeer.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Kyle Turris, C (OTT) – Turris continues to impress Sens fans and may well be the long sought 2nd line center this club has been looking for. Will we be seeing more of his hyped up wrist shot that we witnessed against Toronto?
Logan Couture, C (SJ) – This former Ottawa 67 player is starting to become a star in this league. He is definitely one of the players the Senators will be keeping an eye on.
THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR
1. Sniper – Jason Spezza has scored at least one goal in 4 of his last 5 games. Expect him to be shooting the puck tonight.
2. Pointless in Two – Erik Karlsson has failed to notch a point in his last two games. Although that is in no way a cold streak for a defenceman, I expect that streak to end sooner than later.
3. Captain Clutch – Daniel Alfredsson has continued to come up with the big plays whenever Ottawa has most needed them. He scored Ottawa’s first goal against Toronto with seconds remaining in the first period and was instrumental in the comeback.
Be sure to check back here on SenShot for a complete recap after the game. GO SENS GO!!!
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Thanks for reading and as always, comments are welcomed.
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