GAME DAY:Carolina Hurricanes @ Ottawa Senators - 7:30pm ET - WED. Dec. 29, 2010

The Ottawa Senators (16-17-4, 36 pts) host the Carolina Hurricanes (16-15-4, 36pts) tonight in a battle for 9th in the conference. The Senators managed a rare 2 game win streak by dominating the power house Penguins and holding them to just one late game goal by Sidney Crosby. This was a solid effort all around but it comes at the expense of Jason Spezza who will be out at least 6 weeks. Carolina is coming off a close one vs. Toronto that saw them badly out shot in the first two periods but still came away with the 4-3 victory.

This is Ottawa's chance to get a bit of traction and put a grip on the 9th overall position in the east. It will also be a chance to advance their streak to 3 wins and salvage this month somewhat (one final game new years eve in Columbus to finish off December). Another strong team effort like the game vs. the Penguins will be in order if they hope to keep this streak alive.

Game Coverage:

TV: SNET-E (HD)
Radio: Team 1200
Web: ATDHE.net and JUSTIN.tv

Latest updates:
Jason Spezza is expected to miss at least 6 weeks with a shoulder injury. Regin will take his place on the top line and Smith has been called up to play 4th line duty. If anyone cares: Leclaire is expected to miss the next 3 games.


TSN's Ice Chips:

Ottawa
Carolina

Ottawa Senators Key Injuries:

Jason Spezza - (shoulder) at least 6 weeks
Pascal Leclaire - (lower body injury) day to day
Brian Lee - (ribs) day to day

Carolina Hurricanes Key Injuries:

Jiri Tlusty (upper body)

Game Day Previews:

NHL.com
ESPN

Media Links:

SensTV On-line
Official Twitter of the Ottawa Senators

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GO SENS GO!!!

I added a loser point to the Sens' record -- they have 4 OTLs, same as Carolina.

Smith has 2 goals in 10 games and Regin has 1 in nearly a half season. Smith has been playing centre in Bingo, taking face offs on a regular basis, while Regin has been playing wing and losing the occasional face off. I'm not suggesting Cory should have put Smith on the top line, but I question putting Regin there. I would rather put Kelly up there (he's been our 2nd best centre, hands down), Smith with Ruutu/Neil, and leave the other lines unchanged.

But that's just me.

Go Sens. Keep that streak alive.

If you look back at the last 7 games they have gone 4-1-2 and have been playing some pretty good hockey. Lets break down those losses.

Washington in regulation - The first goal scored by the Caps should have never gone. A shot from the side of the net. This easily should have been a win for Ottawa.

Colorado in OT - Average goaltending could have gotten us the extra point here.

Atlanta - See Colorado.

I've been quite pleased with the overall game and overall effort of the team and I'm not that surprised that we're looking to extend our streak to 3 games tonight. I'm a little disappointed that we're not closer to a playoff spot though.

Foligno has really stepped up his game as has Karlsson (in a HUGE way). Phillips has looked great as well. Is it Karlsson or Phillips that makes that pairing work so well? It's just Regin that needs to step up out of the youngsters and I have faith he will. I don't think it's a coincidence that these guys have improved and the record has as well. Of course we still need a lot more from Michalek, more from Alfie and Gonchar too.

If we were firing on all cylinders we'd be leading the division IMO. Of course that may be biased since that was my bold prediction at the start of the season. I expected more from Alfie, Spezza, Michalek, Gonchar and even Glasscal.

Michalek - Regin - Kovalev - The Mr. K line? Thoughts?

Elliott is on a roll. Karlsson is on a roll. Fisher is coming around. Foligno is coming around. Gonchar has a long way to go. Regin has a *long* way to go. Kovalev is Kovalev. Unfortunately.

At least Kovalev is on pace for 20 goals this season?

Seriously though I'm more concerned about Michalek and Gonchar out of all of the guys that really need to get going.

Kovalev - I'll just hope that he hits 20 goals and dominates a handful of games the rest of the way and should we make the playoffs he shows up as advertised.

I think we'll tonight. Carolina just won last night and teams usually split back-to-backs...plus we may be facing Peters in net.

Big Ev wrote:I think we'll tonight. Carolina just won last night and teams usually split back-to-backs...plus we may be facing Peters in net.

We'll what? Just kidding. I agree. The Sens have also been playing some pretty good hockey lately and Elliott looks to be starting another hot streak as well.

Interesting note from the NHL.com preview.

...Mike Fisher of the Senators has blocked 47 shots this season, more than any other forward in the NHL.

http://senators.nhl.com/club/preview.htm?id=2010020547

At least if he's not able to hit players he's contributing in the defensive end quite nicely it would seem. He's also currently on pace for 22 goals which isn't terrible.

I don't know if this has been mentioned but Ottawa has quietly jumped into the top ten on the PP at a very respectable 20%.

Cap'n Clutch wrote:I don't know if this has been mentioned but Ottawa has quietly jumped into the top ten on the PP at a very respectable 20%.

that's something to be happy about.


i think we can win this one tonight.
GO SENS GO!!!

The Sens will be looking for a bit of revenge after that 7-1 disaster where the Canes took no mercy on a team that was tired both physically and mentally from the tragedy in the Richardson family.

How have Sens been ranking in the number of powerplays given? I remember that last season they were not favoured so much. And even so, their PP was mighty lacking. Good to see something is working, surely a positive in a situation with a lot of negatives.

I concur with Clutch - Canes need to be sent a message from Sens.

An effort like the Pens game and we should be provided with a very solid and entertaining win vs. the Canes tonight.

GO SENS GO!!