Game Day: Ottawa Senators @ Vancouver Canucks
By Kevin Lee
Sunday, November 20th, 2011
9:00 pm
Rogers Sportsnet, Team 1200
11th East (10-9-1) @11th West (9-9-1)
The Ottawa Senators end their Western Canada road trip with a visit to the Vancouver Canucks. The Senators are currently riding a three game winning streak including wins against Calgary and Edmonton. They are also looking to complete their first ever sweep of the three Western Canadian teams with a win today. This is the first of two meetings between these two clubs (the other coming Dec. 10 in Ottawa). Last season the Senators went 0-2 against the Canucks, posting up a 6-2 loss at home and a 4-2 loss in Vancouver.
Meanwhile, the Vancouver Canucks are still looking to regain their form from last season. After an incredible season that saw them win both the Presidents’ Trophy as well as the Clarence Bowl (for the Western Conference playoff champion) the expectations were high for this season. Thus far they haven’t been able to meet them. The Canucks have been extremely inconsistent this season, and it shows it the standings. They are only playing .500 hockey and at the moment don’t even hold a playoff position.
As expected, the Canucks are led in scoring by the Sedin twins. Daniel Sedin leads the team with 23 points (6G and 17A) and Henrik Sedin isn’t far behind with 21 points (6G and 15A). However, the story in Vancouver isn’t about the play of their forwards, but that of their goaltenders. Roberto Luongo has struggled this season posting a GAA of 2.97 along with a SV% of .896 and is a major reason why Vancouver finds themselves out of a playoff spot. The Senators will not be facing Luongo though, as he is currently injured with an upper body injury. Instead they will be up against backup goaltender Cory Schneider. Schneider hasn’t faired much better than Luongo thus far with a GAA of 2.76 and SV% of .904.
On a three game winning streak, Paul MacLean will be making no changes to the Senators lineup. This means David Rundblad will be a healthy scratch once again. Chris Neil (ankle), Matt Carkner (knee) and Peter Regin (shoulder) also remain out of the lineup, all recovering from injury. For Vancouver, defenceman Keith Ballard will not play due to back spasms. Roberto Luongo will not be starting as he recovers from an upper body injury, but may be well enough to backup Schneider. Ryan Kesler is suffering from a shoulder injury but is expected to play.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Craig Anderson, G (OTT) – Anderson has been the key to the Senators’ three game winning streak. He has weathered the early storms from opposing teams allowing the Senators to score the all important first goal in each of the three games. Anderson is sporting a solid .948 SV% in the past 3 games as well. If he plays like he has recently the Senators should come away with the W.
Cory Schneider, G (VAN) – This game will essentially come down to goaltending. Schneider’s last game was a 5-1 loss against Chicago, where he allowed 5 goals on 27 shots. Luongo will likely return from his injury next game so this is Schneider’s chance to prove that he can hold the starting position should Luongo’s goaltending continue to struggle.
THINGS TO WATCH FOR
1. Hot 4th Line – The Ottawa Senators 4th line of Jesse Winchester, Zenon Konopka, and Bobby Butler has been on fire the last two games, producing 4 goals. Can they keep it up against the Vancouver Canucks?
2. 9MM – Milan Michalek now has 12 goals on the season. This puts him only 2 behind Phil Kessel for the goal scoring lead. With one more goal tonight Michalek will also have more goals than Dany Heatley (5G 7A) has points.
3. EK65 – Erik Karlsson is tied for the defenceman points leader (18) with Florida’s Brian Campbell. Will Karlsson find himself to be the sole leader after this game?
Be sure to check back here on SenShot for a complete recap after the game. GO SENS GO!!!
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