Home
Publications
Champions keep playing until they get it right - Billie Jean King
The skinny
Phoenix visits Ottawa on the second game of their 3-game road East Coast swing and the 2nd game of their back-to-back (they played in Montreal last night). Ottawa has not played since Saturday's loss against the Montreal Canadiens where they were shut out at home 3-0. Captain Shane Doan will return after being suspended 3 games for his blindside (and late) hit on Dan Sexton. Both teams have come out with slow starts to their season. Historically, phoenix has not fared well against Ottawa, as they are 5-11-1 against Ottawa since 1996, and have not won in Ottawa since December of 1998. Will the streak continue? Or will the senators make like the 'yotes home rink and continue with the jobing? Yotes beat the sens 3-2 last December in Phoenix.
About Ottawa
Alfredsson has been the true leader for the sens. As others have struggled, Alfredsson has been on a mini-tear with 4 goals in the last 3 games, amassing a 1000 career points and leading the sens squad with 8 points. Sadly, the rest of the team is far far behind in compete level and scoring. Secondary scorers Kovalev, Regin, and Foligno have yet to score, while Michalek and Fisher have been cold for the last 3 games. Pressure is mounting in Ottawa as Bryan Murray is publicly looking to trade for a rugged d-man (the senators are 24th in GA) and at the bottom of the Northeast division. And as is custom in Ottawa, you know you're in trouble when your GAA leader is on the shelf with a 3.24 average. The Senators will need a big effort to erase memories of the 3-0 drubbing at the hands of the Habs on Saturday night, which is now being dubbed as one of the worst showings by the senators in many this season. This is slated to be Jason Spezza's third game missed due to groin issues.
Who to look for - This will be Sergei Gonchar's 1000th career game. Expect some recognition for a great feat. Could this game be Gonchar's coming out party? The offensive d-man is sure to have extra motivation and has looked more comfortable in the last few games for Ottawa.
Injured - Jason Spezza (day to day), Pascal Leclaire (IR), Filip Kuba (IR)
Remember this?
Well not a big one, but since its Gonchar's day today, here's hoping for some of this tonight!