The Ottawa Senators are taking on one of the top teams in the East. Meanwhile, the Boston Bruins are playing the Anaheim Ducks, one of the top teams in the West. We’ll see if the Senators can hold on to their wild card spot tonight.
Ottawa Senators (37-24-11)
VS
New York Rangers (46-19-7)
7:30, Canadian Tire Centre
TV: TSN, Radio: TSN1200
MATCHUP HISTORY
Tonight is the second of three meetings between these two teams. The Rangers won the first game 3-2 in overtime. The Senators are 6-3-1 against the Rangers since 2011, though they’ve lost three of the last four.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Rick Nash – After last season, which was decent at best, Nash is back. He already has 39 goals and is poised to finish the year with a career high in goals. Even if he wasn’t having as good a season as he is, it’s safe to say all eyes would be on him anyway.
Erik Karlsson – Who else? He’s been arguably the best player in the league since early February, and shows no sign of slowing down. He didn’t have his greatest game against the San Jose Sharks, but I’d be surprised if he doesn’t bring his A game tonight.
THREE KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Hamburgle Another Win – Yeah. That headline sucks. I tried to be clever in saying that Hammond might have to steal another game, but whatever. The Senators’ skaters began playing extremely well at the same time that Andrew Hammond starting to wow everyone, which was a pretty nice combo. If the skaters don’t have the greatest game, the team will have to trust Hammond to steal a win. (Is hamburgle even a thing people say?)
2. No Henrik Lundqvist – Apparently the Rangers are keeping Lundqvist on the bench tonight, which means he’ll probably end up playing against the Bruins instead. This is good. This is very, very good. The Senators really need to take advantage of this, and get 2 points tonight. If Boston loses to Lundqvist and the Rangers on the weekend, the Senators can extend their lead in the wild card spot.
3. Get 2 Points – It doesn’t matter how, the Senators need 2 points tonight. The Bruins are playing the Ducks, who have lost twice in a row, and have only won 5 of their last 10. It’s very possible that Boston gets the win.
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