Ottawa Senators vs New York Rangers: Game 68 Preview
The Ottawa Senators, with playoff hopes all but gone, face the current holder of the final wild card playoff spot where a win would give some fans false hope and a loss would all but mathematically eliminate any remaining glimmer of hope.
(36-29-4, 76 points) 4th Metropolitan Division
VS
(28-26-13, 67 points) 6th Atlantic Divison
7:30 PM
Canadian Tire Centre
TV: Rogers Sportsnet; RADIO: TSN1200
MATCHUP HISTORY
This is the 2nd of 3 meetings between the teams this season. Derek Stepan had a goal and two assists to lead the Rangers to a 4-1 win over the Sens in mid-January.
Jan 18, 2014; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; New York Rangers left wing Mats Zuccarello (36) scores against Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson (41) in the third period at the Canadian Tire Centre. The Rangers defeated the Senators 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
LAST GAMES
Both teams are struggling, but the Rangers hold the upper hand. Ottawa dropped a pair of games on the weekend, a Paul MacLean Can Have No Excuses For Epic Collapse In Montreal” href=”https://senshot.com/2014/03/16/ottawa-senators-paul-maclean-can-excuses-epic-collapse-montreal/” target=”_blank”>heartbreaking collapse in Montreal followed by a 3-1 loss to Colorado. New York lost 1-0 to one of the league leading clubs, the San Jose Sharks, on Sunday.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Martin St. Louis, NYR – The Rangers’ big trade deadline acquisition hasn’t panned out so far (just as I predicted), as he has just 2 assists since being acquired almost 2 weeks ago, a 7 game span. He has 43 career points in 50 games against the Senators.
Milan Michalek, OTT – Michalek could be in his final stretch of games as an Ottawa Senator as the impending free agent likely will not be back. He will be showcasing himself to the rest of the league in hopes of landing a high end contract.
TOP 3 STORYLINES FOR THE GAME
1. Old Yeller time?– This could be the night the Rangers take the Senators out back and finish the job, ending the Senators’ playoff hopes once and for all.
2. Tease – That being said, the Senators will probably win, just to continue the tease they have put their fans through for most of this season.
3. Heart And Soul-less? – The Rangers changed their entire team dynamic at the deadline when they carved out their heart and soul dealing Ryan Callahan for St. Louis. They have struggled to win since they dealt their captain.