October 29, 2011: 3 pm, CBC, NHL-US, RDS2, Team 1200
9th East (5-5-0) VS11th East (3-3-2)
Your Ottawa Senators look to extend their four-game winning streak today as they have a matinee affair with the New York Rangers. With their last second heroics from their game on Thursday, the Sens seem to have bought into coach MacLean’s system and have been rolling.
Craig Anderson is on a hot streak as he has won his last four starts, but he has not lit the world on fire in those games. Considering Anderson hasn’t been at his best, and the Sens have still won their last four games, if Neo can regain his form, the Sens may be a team to watch out for. Called up on an emergency basis, Robin Lehner will serve as the back-up today as Alex Auld is out with a injury.
The offense has been carried by Ottawa’s three best forwards (Jason Spezza, Daniel Alfredsson and Milan Michalek) as the three have combined for 15 of Ottawa’s 29 goals this season. As long as these three keep scoring, the good times will continue to roll. But if the Sens want to continue to move up in the Eastern conference, their secondary scoring will need to step up.
The Rangers are playing their only second game at home as they started the season over seas and played the first seven games on the road. The Rangers won the off-season bidding war as they signed Brad Richards to center their first line. However, their whole team is off to a slow start offensively as their 16 goals has them tied for last in the goals for department. As has been the case for the last number of years, the Rangers rely heavily on superstar tender, Henrik Lundqvist to carry the team and they will look for him to be solid today.
Players to Watch
Ottawa – JASON SPEZZA has been on a tear to begin the season. With five goals and 13 points in his first ten games, Spezza is tied for third in the league in scoring. Centering a line with Michalek and Colin Greening, the line has been hard to contain and has been Ottawa’s best line.
New York – MARION GABORIK has four goals in eight games and is just waiting to breakout. Hopefully, Chris Phillips will be up for the challenge of shutting him down.
Here’s the Sens projected line-up for today’s game:
FORWARDS:
Colin Greening-Jason Spezza-Milan Michalek
Nick Foligno-Stephane Da Costa-Daniel Alfredsson
Erik Condra-Zack Smith-Chris Neil
Jesse Winchester-Zenon Konopka-Kaspars Daugavins
DEFENCE
David Rundblad-Chris Phillips
Sergei Gonchar-Jared Cowen
Filip Kuba-Erik Karlsson
GOALIES
Craig Anderson
Robin Lehner
Let’s look how these teams match-up Stats wise:
The Sens will have a quick turnaround after this game as they will take on the Toronto Maple Leafs tomorrow night in a rare Sunday game. The Sens have to make sure they do not look past this game to the more emotional Battle of Ontario game tomorrow night as the Rangers are a young team that can jump on them if they aren’t prepared.
Check back here on SenShot for a complete game recap after the game. Enjoy the game and GO SENS GO!!!
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