Mark Stone In, Cory Conacher Out For Ottawa Senators In Game 4
As was suggested in our full game preview, there will be a lineup change for Wednesday’s game 4 for the Ottawa Senators.
Mark Stone will enter the lineup and Cory Conacher will come out. Stone skated alongside Conacher and Jason Spezza in the game day skate, with Milan Michalek taking the morning off, presumably to rest his recently repaired knee.
May 17, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman
Paul Martin(7) prohibits Ottawa Senators left wing Cory Conacher (89) from getting to the puck during the first period in game two of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at CONSOL Energy Center. The Pittsburgh Penguins won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
While Paul MacLean didn’t come right out and say the change was being made, he stated they were “considering” the change. Mark Stone seemed to think he was indeed playing.
Stone was inserted in Game 5 of last year’s first round matchup against the Rangers, recording an assist on the game winning goal as Ottawa stayed alive in the series that they went on to lose in 7 games. Stone had a 4 game audition this season, going pointless and a -1 rating while averaging less than 10 minutes per game.
Stone tied for the lead in Binghamton with 38 points, and added 3 more points in Binghamton’s 3 game sweep at the hands of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
Conacher has been in and out of the lineup and bounced around different lines when he did get in. He has provided a spark at times, but has also been nailed to the bench at others. He played a team low 13:22 on Sunday night.