Game 7 Preview – Ottawa Senators @ New York Rangers
By Kevin Lee
Thursday April 26th, 2012
7:00 pm
CBC, Team 1200
8th East (41-31-10)@ 1st East (51-24-7)
SERIES TIED 3-3
So who would have thought we’d be here at the beginning of the season. Game 7, with the opportunity to knock of the first seed in the East. Regardless of the outcome of this game this is a season to be proud of as a Sens fan. Expect this to be an extremely tight game with very few goals scored. All the games this series have been decided by a goal differential of 2 or fewer, so don’t expect a blowout by either team tonight.
For all the flack Jason Spezza has received from fans this series, he is still the series leader in points with 2G and 3A. Both goalies have been fantastic as well, with Anderson sporting a .933 SV% and Lundqvist a .942 SV%. Ottawa has never won a Game 7 in franchise history and is hoping to change that tonight riding Anderson’s success in the Big Apple. Ottawa has yet to announce their lineup, but expect one of Stone, Silfverberg, or Butler to slot in at forward and either Carkner or Gilroy on defence.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Craig Anderson, OTT – Allowed 3 goals in the second period of Game 6. Can’t let that happen tonight if the Sens are to have any chance of winning.
Henrik Lundqvist, NYR – New York relies on this man to win, if he has a poor game tonight Ottawa may very well pull off the upset.
THINGS TO WATCH FOR
1. Stars Time To Shine – This is the moment for Ottawa’s big guns to shine under pressure. Spezza, Alfredsson, and Michalek will be expected to provide some offence tonight as well as Karlsson from the back end.
2. Road Warriors – Ottawa has been much more successful on the road than at home this season, they are hoping this continues tonight.
3. Go Florida – If the Sens win tonight, they should be hoping the Panthers do as well. If both teams win they will meet up in the second round.