Pittsburgh Penguins @ Ottawa Senators: Game Day Preview

Pittsburgh Penguins comes to the Canadian Tire Center looking to take advantage of the Ottawa Senators’ season-long inconsistent play and end their modest win streak at 1 game.

Ottawa: 21-22-9

Pittsburgh: 30-15-8

7:30 PM EST

Canadian Tire Centre

Ottawa, Ontario

TV: TSN5, RDS2, Bell TV; Radio: TSN 1200

MATCH-UP HISTORY

The previous meeting between the two clubs was way back in December, with Christian Ehrhoff scoring the game winner to help Pittsburgh take it 3-2. This will mark the second game of a three game season series, and so some extra bragging rights are on the line.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Evgeni Malkin – Scored 2 goals in his last visit to the CTC. Malkin has 29 points in 27 career games versus the Senators, so Ottawa’s defence is going to have to try extra hard to neutralize number #71.

Erik Karlsson – Scored the first goal for the Senators in their game against Buffalo, and ever since the return of Marc Methot has looked more and more like the dynamic, Norris-calibre defenseman we all know and love.

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THREE KEYS TO THE GAME

1. ROBIN ROBS ‘EM: Lehner’s going to have to play lights out against a potent Pittsburgh offence if Ottawa is going to have a chance in this game. We already know that the Sens’ defence isn’t stellar enough to steal them any games, so Lehner is going to be counted on to play more like he did in the second period of the Buffalo game than the Lehner that showed up for most of the Columbus tilt.

2. KING KARL KEEPS IT KOMING: Karlsson’s been really driving play lately, and with production from Ottawa’s forward ranks rather scarce lately he’ll be relied upon more heavily to contribute against the Pens.

3. FORWARDS NEED TO FIND THE SCORESHEET: Too many times in the last few games, Ottawa’s forwards have missed some grade A opportunities, including a few open nets (See: Erik Condra).

PROJECTED LINE-UPS

I’m writing this on the 11th, so I’m not sure of the official lineup the Sens will ice, but I’d wager heavily that Cameron won’t want to tinker much with the group that won on Tuesday, which I’ve put below.

– Senators:

FORWARDS

Milan Michalek – Kyle Turris – Mark Stone

Clarke MacArthur – Mika Zibanejad – Bobby Ryan

Mike Hoffman – Curtis Lazar – Alex Chiasson

Erik Condra – David Legwand – Chris Neil

DEFENCE

Marc Methot – Erik Karlsson

Jared Cowen – Eric Gryba

Mark Borowiecki – Patrick Wiercioch

GOALIES

Robin Lehner