Ottawa Senators @ Columbus Blue Jackets : Game 8 Preview

Oct 18, 2014; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators forward Kyle Turris (7) is covered by Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Tim Erixon (20) in front of Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (72) during the second period at Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

After starting the season hot, the Ottawa Senators have suffered two straight losses. One coming in overtime against the New Jersey Devils and the other in regulation against the Chicago Blackhawks. The Ottawa Senators are looking to bounce back and get back in the win column today against Columbus.

Ottawa (4-2-1)

VS

Columbus (4-4-0)

October 28, 2014 – 7:00 pm EDT
Nationwide Arena – Columbus, Ohio
Radio – TSN 1200 – TV – TSN5

Matchup History

The last meeting between the two teams was on October 18th at the Canadian Tire Center. The Senators ended up winning 3-2 against a banged up Columbus team. October 18th was a coming out party for Ottawa Senators forward, Mike Hoffman. Winner of the game’s first star with a goal and an assist. Robin Lehner who is set to take the net tonight was also featured in the last Columbus vs Ottawa game on October 18th. A huge 40 save effort from Robin Lehner was needed for the Senators to come up with the W.

Players to Watch

Ryan Johansen – Columbus – Even with all the off-season contract drama between the club and Ryan, the young center is off to a flying start registering 11 points in 8 games for the Blue Jackets. For a team loaded with injuries to key players, the BC native leads the charge for the Columbus squad. Ryan Johansen is currently sitting at a 7.1% Relative Corsi For with an overall 55% Corsi For in all situations. A clear leader in puck possession for the Blue Jackets team.

Mika Zibanejad – Ottawa – High hopes for the third year centermen were set upon him this season with the void left by Jason Spezza. Through 7 games Mika Zibanejad has yet to score a goal or register an assist. With the offensive talent Mika Zibanejad holds his scoreless drought is beginning to become a concern. His overall possession numbers seem to be ok, but that’s because of his powerplay time. In 5 v 5 situations, Mika Zibanejad sits a woeful 43% Corsi For. Not enough time with the puck for a second line center.

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Top 3 Storylines

1. Someone call a doctor – Sergei Bobrovski, Nick Folgino, Brandon Dubinsky and Boone Jenner. What do they all have in common? Well it’s the injuries that’s what. All 4 have missed or are set to miss some time on the ice, making it that much more tougher for the Blue Jackets to win.

2. Shots, Shots, Shots! – Nothing much has changed for the Ottawa Senators and their defense. The team now sits second last in the league with shots against per game with 36, just ahead of Buffalo. Whether it’s the absence of Marc Methot or the defense just simply struggling to defend, the shots against need to be lowered. No one expects the Senators goaltending to play over 93% save percentage every night.

3. “The Second Line.” – There has been an absence in offensive department and the Ottawa Senators second line needs to step up. With the recent shuffling of lines, these primary players in the second line need to find a way to put the puck in the net. Bobby Ryan, Mika Zibanejad and Alex Chiasson haven’t provided the Senators any depth, or the depth we expected them to provide. Whether or not this line stays together again for tonight’s game is still a question, regardless these three need to begin to play a bigger part of the team.

Projected Lineups

Ottawa Forwards:

Clarke MacArthur – Kyle Turris – Bobby Ryan
Milan Michalek – Mika Zibanejad – Alex Chiasson
Curtis Lazar – David Legwand – Chris Neil
Colin Greening – Zack Smith – Erik Condra

Ottawa Defense:
Chris Phillips – Erik Karlsson
Jared Cowen – Cody Ceci
Mark Borowiecki – Eric Gryba

Goalies:

Robin Lehner (Starting)
Craig Anderson

Columbus Forwards:

Scott Hartnell – Ryan Johansen – Cam Atkinson
Alexander Wennberg – Mark Letetsu – Jack Skille
Corey Tropp – Artem Anisimov- Marko Dano
Adam Cracknell – Michael Chaput – Jared Boll

Columbus Defense:
Jack Johnson – David Savard
Ryan Murray – James Wisniewski
Fedor Tyutin –  Dalton  Prout

Columbus Goalies:
Curtis McElhinney (Starting)
Anton Forsberg