Ottawa Senators Look To Inch Closer To The Playoffs With A Win Over Toronto
With Thursday’s night 5-1 loss to the New York Rangers, the Ottawa Senators look to bounce back and continue their winning ways at the Air Canada Center in Toronto. This is the second last match up between the two Ontario teams, with both games being in Toronto. The Toronto Maple Leafs are playing the role as spoilers tonight, as the Ottawa Senators are heading in the other direction in the standings. Crazy to think the hashtag “TeamTank” was applicable for our team.
Ottawa Senators (37-25-11)
Toronto Maple Leafs (27-42-6)
7:00PM EST : Air Canada Center – Toronto, Ontario
TV: CBC, TVA 2 Radio: TSN1200
Match Up History : Both teams faced each other exactly seven days ago in Ottawa, with the Senators coming up on top 5-3. The winning goal came from center Kyle Turris with the first star going to Curtis Lazar, AKA “Sens Jesus.” The Senators seemed to struggle in the second period last week but eventually got their heads in the game and closed off the Maple Leafs. Andrew Hammond served in net for Ottawa.
Players To Watch :
Ottawa’s Goaltender : At this point no one knows who’s going to dawn the net for Ottawa in Toronto tonight. Reports that Craig Anderson could be able to play, there are reports that Andrew Hammond may not play and there are reports Chris Driedger may have to come in if neither Craig or Andrew can. Who ever is named the starter tonight is going to need a big game for the club. Letting in 5 goals on Thursday has left a sour taste in fans mouths, a big comeback performance will definitely be needed for the clubs playoff chances.
Phil Kessel – Toronto Maple Leafs – Right Wing : Phil the Thrill as they call him in Toronto has under performed this season. As one of the NHL’s most exciting players to watch, the Toronto winger has taken a step back from his elite caliber form. His decline in play this year can’t all fall on him, as we all know that their defence and center strength isn’t the strongest in the NHL. Despite one of the worst teams in Leafs recent memory, Phil Kessel has managed 54 points in 74 games this season. On pace to record over 60 this year.
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Three Keys To The Game:
1. Keeping Your Cool : It’s funny because I’ve used this point of emphasis a lot this season. Last week’s game was a prime example. Senators coach, Dave Cameron, lost his cool during the second period of last week’s game. His anger was directed towards the Senators awful second period in which they allowed three goals, one of them coming from after Dave Cameron’s speech. Dave Cameron was totally right for doing it, this time around the team needs to recognize their mistakes and sloppy play before coach Cameron does.
2. One Period At A Time : With all the madness and chaos surrounding the Ottawa Senators right now the focus is still the same. Win your games. It’s tough going into a game and hoping the other team (The Boston Bruins) lose in order for your playoff chances to increase. The Senators have to just keep chugging along, doing what they have been the past month or so. If the focus is there the team will be fine.
3. Continue Beating James Reimer : With James Reimer starting in net tonight the importance of scoring increases. Regularly James Reimer is a stone wall against Ottawa but in the last three games this season, the Senators have managed to score three or more goals on James Reimer. If you can manage to score a goal a period, your chances of winning the game are fairly high. Let’s keep doing that Ottawa, please!
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