Washington Capitals at Ottawa Senators Game Preview

Jan 1, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) battles for the puck with Ottawa Senators defenseman Dion Phaneuf (2) during the first period at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) battles for the puck with Ottawa Senators defenseman Dion Phaneuf (2) during the first period at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports

The Ottawa Senators are faced with a tough task coming off their five day break playing one of the NHL’s elite teams.  The Senators will play back to back games Saturday and Sunday.

7:00PM Canadian Tire Centre

TV: TVAS2 City

Radio: TSN 1200 Ottawa

Ottawa Senators (20-13-4, 2nd in Atlantic Division 13th in the NHL)

Washington Capitals (24-9-5, 4th in Metropolitan Division, 6th in the NHL)

Leading Scorers: Erik Karlsson (37 GP – 7– G -25– A – 32–PTS), Mark Stone (36P -11 G -17 A – 28 PTS) Mike Hoffman (33 GP – G -10– A –15 –PTS 25)

Injuries: Andrew Hammond,

               Clarke MacArthur

 

Offense: The Senators welcome back Zack Smith who missed two games due to an injury.  Smith is a valuable asset due to his ability to play on the Senators Power Play, Penalty Kill and is used in shutdown roles. Smith had 7 points in his last 5 games played.

Defense: Ottawa meets a highly powered offensive Capitals’ team Saturday night.  The Senators have been good defensively this season allowing the seventh least amount of goals against in the NHL.

Erik Karlsson leads the Senators defense and team in scoring with 32 points. The rest of the Senators defense point totals combined equals 32 points.

Goalie:  Mike Condon didn’t take any time off during the Senators mandated five day break staying in Ottawa to work on his game. Condon will make his seventh start for the Senators in the last eight games. Condon has played in all of the Senators’ last eight games coming in relief for Andrew Hammond.

Projected Lineup Senators

Ryan Dzingel – Kyle Turris – Bobby Ryan
Zack Smith– Derick Brassard – Mark Stone
Mike Hoffman– J.G. Pageau – Tom Pyatt
Chris Kelly- Curtis Lazar – Chris Neil

Marc Methot – Erik Karlsson
Dion Phaneuf – Cody Ceci
Mark Borowiecki – Chris Wideman

Mike Condon

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