After the morning skate, Paul MacLean announced that Mike Lundin will return to the lineup on the blue line, with Andre Benoit coming out. Up front, with Stephane Da Costa sent down, Jim O’Brien will get back into action with Peter Regin still on the sidelines. That makes sense because Regin is still technically on the IR, but with Craig Anderson‘s injury not too serious, but severe enough to warrant Robin Lehner to be called up. If Regin were to be taken off the IR, then either someone would have to be sent down, or Anderson would have to be moved to the IR. That would mean at least a week, even retroactively to Friday. The good news is that Anderson should be back by the middle of next week, which is why they didn’t put him on IR.
Feb 21, 2013; Ottawa, ON, CAN; Ottawa Senators goalie Ben Bishop (30) celebrates winning against the New York Rangers at Scotiabank Place. The Senators defeated the Rangers 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
The other big question was answered this morning as Ben Bishop will start in net for the Senators. Lehner will back him up and will likely start Monday against Montreal to give the young Swede a reward for accepting the demotion to the AHL so well, at least publicly. Bishop relieved Anderson for the third period, overtime and the shootout and earned the win in the 3-2 victory over the Rangers.
Check out our full preview of the Battle of Ontario Round 2.