Game P2 Preview: Ottawa Senators @ Calgary Flames

It is early and often for many of the players that made the trip to Western Canada.  After winning in Winnipeg on Sunday, most of them will be right back at it on Monday night when they play a neutral site game.

(1-0-0)

vs

(1-1-0)

Credit Union Centre, Saskatoon, SK

9:00 PM EST

TV: Rogers 22 ( EDIT: The Game will not be televised or streamed)

Radio: TEAM1200

Last Season:  Due to lack of interconference play last season, the Flames and Senators did not face each other.

Dec 30, 2011; Ottawa, ON, CAN; Calgary Flames defenseman T. J. Brodie (left) and Otawa Senators centre

(center) during first period action at Scotiabank Place. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

Last Games:  While Ottawa defeated Winnipeg 3-1 on Sunday night, the Flames played a pair of split squad games against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night, winning one in a shootout (6-5) and losing the other (3-2).

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Mike Hoffman, OTT – The skilled forward will get the first chance to impress Paul MacLean in live-game action in the audition for the second line winger spot.  The top line scheduled to play tonight is Kyle Turris – Clarke MacArthur – Hoffman so he will get a chance at the inside track to a roster spot and quality minutes.

Sean Monahan, CGY – As the Flames rebuild, there won’t be a lot of very recognizable faces in the lineup, but the Ottawa 67’s captain (until he makes the Flames) will be one that a lot of Sens fans will be looking at.  He was the 6th overall pick in the 2013 draft and with a solid camp should make the undermanned Flames as an 18 year old.

TOP 3 STORYLINES

1.  Get Your Programs:  The Flames will be a largely anonymous group no matter who makes the trip.  Aside from the likes of Michael Cammalleri and maybe Matt Stajan, there are not a lot of truly recognizable faces in the Flames camp.

2.  Chemistry:  Jason Spezza – Bobby Ryan –Milan Michalek started to gel as the game went on yesterday, and they will likely sit tonight in favor of the Turris line.  MacLean will be looking for a similar type of progression as this game goes on, to see if Hoffman can be the answer on that wing.

3. Ceci Debut – The Senators 2012 first round pick will make his debut in a Sens uniform, likely to be paired with Chris Phillips.  He will be staring across the ice at a familiar face, as he and Monahan were teammates for the better part of three years with the Ottawa 67’s, and were co-captains of the team until Ceci was traded to Owen Sound in January.

PARTING SHOTS

Starting off the pre-season with two games in two night with 2 flights in less than 24 hours won’t be easy, and 12 players will be playing on consecutive nights.  Still, effort and progression is what the staff will be looking for, and any time they are on the ice is a chance for a player to step up and do something to get them noticed.