Alfredsson, Wings Round 1 Comes At Perfect Time For The Ottawa Senators

Without a doubt, the Ottawa Senators are struggling.  The loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday afternoon was more frustrating to watch than the losses on the road, because that is one team they should have beaten, and the Senators made yet another mediocre goalie look like an all-star.

Well, now that they have finally had time to take a breath, get a couple of days of practice in, and hopefully right the ship a bit.

October 4, 2013; Raleigh, NC, USA; Detroit Red Wings forward Daniel Alfredsson (11) reacts against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Center. The Red Wings won 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

This mini-break in the schedule couldn’t have come at a better time.  The next opponent on the horizon marks the first time ever the Senators will take to the ice with Daniel Alfredsson on the opposite side.  This game on Wednesday night pops up at the perfect time in the schedule, because if the club can’t focus on sending a message to the Wings and the player they pilfered from the Sens, then perhaps this isn’t the club they thought they were.

This game against the Wings is certainly not a be-all, end-all game. A win over one of the Senators’ newest divisional rivals and the team that they are expected to battle with all season for position would go a long way to easing some of the nerves and frustrations that have been felt during the average and roller-coaster 3-3-2 start to the season.

Being able to shut down Alfredsson and his new team would show that the Senators are indeed a team to be reckoned with and the slow start was a by-product of the weird schedule from the pre-season that carried over to the regular season.