Game #42 Preview – Carolina Hurricanes At Ottawa Senators
By Jamie Clarke
Oh Scotiabank Place, how we’ve missed you. After a long and gruelling road trip, our PeskySens are finally back in the warm confines of their homes and home ice. After the devastating events yesterday in Boston, it’s good to see the team back home safe and sound, our thoughts and prayers from everyone at SenShot go out to all those touched by the events.
At a critical juncture in the season, the Carolina Hurricanes fill the visitors bench and hope to test just how good the Senators are at home.
17-22-2, 14th in the Eastern Conference
At
21-14-6, 6th in the Eastern Conference
7:30 PM
TV: SPORTSNET, RADIO: TEAM 1200
HEAD TO HEAD
This is the third meeting of the year for the two teams, and regardless of the outcome, a series victory for the Hurricanes. Ottawa has the chance tonight to avoid the sweep, and put up some insurance points in the Playoff Race against a team that has been stingy in giving up goals this year against the Senators.
Mika Zibanejad (93). Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
LAST GAMES
Ottawa ended their slump in dramatic fashion over the weekend and have now put together two consecutive wins returning to SBP. Craig Anderson shutdown the New Jersey offense in the Senators last game, a 2-0 victory which all but ended the Devils playoff hopes. Carolina is coming off a few days rest and a 4-2 victory over the Boston Bruins.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Erik Condra – OTT – Condra has been buzzing the last few games and don’t expect that to change tonight. The injection of new linemates seems to have little a fire under the Sens sparkplug and Condra is playing with more life than he has most of the season. Hoepfully the teams now resident Special Team…Specialist, will see more time on the ice at even strength and continue to push solid performances.
Alexander Semin – CAR – Semin has found some new life on the Carolina roster and is earning the dollars he’s being paid. At a nearly point per game pace, Semin is relied upon quite heavily provide what he does best, offence. He’s a player the Sens are going to have to keep their eyes open for.
STORYLINES
– Shutting down Special Teams: Ottawa is second best in the league when it comes to the Penalty Kill. The Carolina Hurricanes on the other side of the coin are amongst the leagues worst when it comes to the Power Play. This special teams affair is one that should heavily favor the Senators.
– Pucks in the net: For some peculiar reason, the Carolina goaltenders have been particularly adept at shutting down the Ottawa forward. If the Boys in Red are going to walk out of the Arena with the W, they are going to have to solve that particular goaltending issue. It’s something that has plagued them before, and it brings us to our last point.
– Pucks ON the net: The last game in Jersey was a W, and it was a hard fought defensive effort, but there wasn’t a lot offensively for the team to be proud off. Being heavily outshot when you’re a team focused on outshooting your opponents is never a good thing. Expect Coach Mac to rectify this.
PARTING SHOT
Things in the Capital City are heating up. With every game having serious points ramifications expect the team to play the remaining games like it’s Games Seven. As fans, expect for us to be cheering like it’s Game Seven. The Road To The Playoffs is a beautiful time, full of heartbreak and wonderment.
Enjoy, and as always, GO SENS GO!