Game #22 Preview: Ottawa Senators @ Philadelphia Flyers

Today when the clock hits noon the Ottawa Senators will once again face another team they have yet to face this short season. It will be interesting to see which version of the Flyers we will see, which explains were they sit in the standings.

12-6-3, 5th Eastern Conference, L10 6-3-1

@

10-11-1, 9th Eastern Conference, L10, 5-5-0

HEAD TO HEAD

As mentioned above this is the first matchup we see between the two Eastern Conference teams, so let’s go back to last year. In the 2011-2012 season the Philadelphia Flyers and Ottawa Senators split the 4 game series 2-2, a couple of the games being high scoring affairs. The two games that weren’t high scoring both required extra time, each team taking one a piece the Sens in a shootout (which seems to be the trend lately) and the Flyers taking the other in OT. In the past we have seen these two teams involved in some pretty rough hockey, I don’t anticipate this trend to continue, due to the fact that both teams have lost some of its toughness.

Jan 08, 2012; Ottawa, ON, CAN; Philadelphia Flyers left wing Scott Hartnell (19) is checked by Ottawa Senators defenseman Sergei Gonchar (55) in the first period at Scotiabank Place. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

LAST GAMES

The last game for the Sens, we seen them go down in OT to the hands of the Boston Bruins. The game involved fluky goals from both sides and was ultimately decided by well another fluky goal as the puck sat literally right on the goal line. As Robin Lehner, who played very well in his first start this year, accidentally pushed the puck passed the goal line for the Bruins win. As for the Flyers, they witnessed the return of a long time player in Simon Gagne and to make his return a little more dramatic, he scored on the power play for this first goal in a Flyers uniform in his 2nd stint in the city of brotherly love. The Flyers won that game 4-1 versus Alex Ovechkin and the Washinton Capitals.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Ben Bishop, OTT – We will see the return of Big Ben to the Sens net as he took a breather against the Bruins. He has been on a roll since the injury to Craig Anderson. He has yet to post a loss since then and has filled in quite nicely. It hasn’t gotten unnoticed as he picked up the 3rd star of the week last week and teams are starting to notice.

Claude Giroux, PHI – Super skilled player, who will play with a little extra fire seeing as he will be playing a team he grew up very close to. He has been putting up a lot of points of late with 14 points in the last 2 weeks, look for him to buzz around the ice all afternoon.

TOP 3 STORYLINES FOR TONIGHT’S GAME

1. Big Ben – Will we see Bishop back to form after a day off? As mentioned above he has yet to lose since taking over from Anderson and the Sens will be hoping for the same this afternoon.
2. Stone cold Turris – It has been over a calendar month since Kyle Turris has scored a goal and only has one assist in the last 2 weeks. Who would you say misses Jason Spezza and Milan Michalek most?
3. The good, bad and the ugly – Which Flyers team will we see today? We have seen 3 different version so far this year and unfortunately for Flyers fans it has been more of the latter two.

WORTH NOTING

Craig Anderson had an interview with the media yesterday stating that he feels better everyday and has started practicing. He has yet to test it out too much but is on the right track and hopes to be back soon.

PARTING SHOT

This game could go either way. Everyone seems to be waiting for the Sens to fall apart at the seams but they’re still holding it together. Therefore this is why I feel this could go either way depending which team shows up for the Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center. If we see the Flyers come out firing the Sens might have a hard time containing them unless Bishop can stand on his head again. Then again if the Flyers come out flat that will be the Sens chance to jump on them early. Should be an interesting game!

Will post the lineup as I get it! As always follow me on twitter for more updates!

Enjoy the game!