Apr 16, 2013; Ottawa, ON, CAN; Ottawa Senators left wing Guillaume Latendresse (73) and Carolina Hurricanes centre Jiri Tlusty (19) chase the puck in the second period at Scotiabank Place. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

Andre Benoit was skating along with Chris Phillips on the blue line, in the place of Eric Gryba.  Gryba has not been ruled out for Friday, but was unable to practice with the team Thursday, so he will be a game time decision.

Up front, Guillaume Latendresse looks like he might draw into the spot occupied by Matt Kassian alongside Zack Smith and Chris Neil.  Latendresse is a curious choice, since he didn’t do much when he was in the lineup against Montreal, and while he adds a bit more offensive upside, he doesn’t add to the speed of the physicality of the team.

Not that I think Kassian should be in the lineup still, but there are a number of options in the Black Aces group that are able to step in and add some speed along with an offensive presence.  Mark Stone might not be the best skater on the planet, but I would rather have him in the lineup.  Or any of Matt Puempel, Stefan Noesen, Shane Prince and Stephane DaCosta would be an option.  And don’t forget about Jim O’Brien and Peter Regin, who must be chomping at the bit to get into the lineup after being out so long as a scratch.

Throwing one of those players might give the emotional boost that would help the Senators get even in the series and come home with a win, and perhaps a Jason Spezza sighting on Sunday in game 3.

Apr 7, 2013; Sunrise, FL, USA; Ottawa Senators center Cory Conacher (89) celebrates his goal against the Florida Panthers with left wing Jakob Silfverberg (33) in the first period at the BB

And yes, I have watched the last two games, and I am well aware of the fact that the trio has been about the only thing going well for Ottawa lately.  But, for the sake of the Ottawa, they need to be split up.

Face the facts: Kyle Turris is not capable of being a #1 centre in this league, at least at the moment.  Maybe, if he gets a little more body strength he can develop into one, but not now.  His best success so far this season has come when he does not get the full attention of the opposing coach.  That occurs when he is not playing alongside Daniel Alfredsson, who is on the top line just by virture of him being Daniel Alfredsson, regardless of who he plays with.  As long as there is no Jason Spezza out there, Alfredsson is the most dangerous player on the ice, and as such will get the best level of opposition.

Granted, Mika Zibanejad is not yet a #1 centre either, but he is close enough to Turris’ level, and is probably stronger physically at 19 than Turris is at 23.  So you put Zibanejad with Alfredsson, sacrificing very little on the top line (if at all), while bolstering the second line just on the basis that Turris puts up numbers while in a secondary role.

How you fill out the rest of the wings is an either/or thing.  Personally, I have wanted to see a line of Alfredsson, Zibanejad and Silfverberg for some time, as I think the all-Swedish “Ikea Line” could be dominant.

That would leave Conacher with Turris and, most likely for now, Guillaume Latendresse. They could be a successful unit based on the fact that Conacher and Turris can do the skating and Latendresse can be the big body at the net.

The Senators are struggling for offense, and this is the best solution I could come up with to generate some, at least short of rolling Erik Karlsson and Jason Spezza onto the ice in full body casts.