GAME DAY: OTT vs MIN
By Editorial Staff
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
7:30 pm
TSN, TVA, Team 1200
15th East (0-2-0) VS 9th West (1-1-0)
The Senators season didn’t exactly begin as planned as they started off opening weekend with back to back loses, the most recent coming Saturday night to rival Toronto Maple Leafs. Ottawa dug themselves into a hole, going into the third period down by 4 goals for the second night in a row. Despite a rally to score 5 in the final 20 minutes of play, the Sens fell short, losing 6-5 to the Leafs. The Senators are now looking to pick up their first win of the season tonight at their home opener versus the Minnesota Wild.
For the Senators, player point production seems to be as it was to end last year, with Spezza and Karlsson leading the team, at four points each. But already 12 different Senators have earned themselves at least one point, including newcomers Zibanejad and Filatov. Two more players will get their chance to contribute as both Regin and Rundblad with make their debuts tonight. Peter Regin seems to be fully recovered from his shoulder injury, and will play his first game of the season in tonight’s home opener. David Rundblad, who will be playing in his first ever NHL game, is coming in as a replacement for Brian Lee. Butler will once again be a healthy scratch, with Filatov joining him this time. Craig Anderson will start in net.
Players To Watch:
OTTAWA: David Rundblad will make his NHL debut tonight on home ice. After being a scratch in the first two games, Rundblad will be looking to make an impression that will keep him in the line-up. He had a solid preseason that helped earn him the spot on the roster, now is his chance to prove that he belongs here.
MINNESOTA: Dany Heatley returns to the nation’s capital for the second time since his infamous trade, this time with another team behind him. In Heatley’s first two games with the Wild he’s earned himself a goal and an assist, and will be looking to get something more tonight to quiet the crowd.
Here’s the Sens line-up:
Forwards:
Michalek – Da Costa – Alfredsson
Greening – Spezza – Zibanejad
Foligno – Regin – Neil
Smith – Konopka – Condra
Defense:
Phillips – Rundblad
Gonchar – Cowen
Kuba – Karlsson
Goaltenders:
Anderson
Auld
The Senators have managed eight goals in the first two games but have only been able to score in the third period, after having already allowed multiple goals against. The key to success tonight is for the team to play a full 60 minutes of hockey. Tonight’s game is sure to be an exciting one as it is the first home game of the year, and also the return of Dany Heatley. The Senators will also honour the original 1992-93 Senators tonight in celebration of their twentieth anniversary. Hopefully the sens can also pick up their first win of the season.
Check back here after the game for SenShot’s complete game recap. Enjoy the game, and GO SENS GO!!!
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