GDT#5: Kings @ Senators: 2PM, Oct. 13

Another early afternoon affair as the Kings roll into turn for a 2PM game. 4 have into the new season the Senators have largely played as expected on the back end, giving up a league leading 20 goals against (tied with the Leafs, who have played one fewer game). But they are also 11th league wide in goals for per game, which often provides for some fairly fun-to-watch games. And if you consider that Stone and Duchene have yet to get untracked, well, it's pretty clear that Colorado will not be the odds on favorite to win the Jack Hughes sweepstakes.

But the hard "pace in your face" game the Sens are playing comes with many bumps and bruises, and three regulars will be out of the lineup today: Ceci, Dzingel and Formenton join McCormick in the infirmary as Jaros and Paul have been recalled from Belleville. Since Boucher has already said that Harpur will get his first game of the season, it's not clear if Jaros will play or Paul. My gut says they go with 7D and really lean on Stone and Duchene. We'll see.

The Kings are in the second day of their East coast swing after blanking the Habs on Thursday. Quick is on the IR after suffering a lower body injury at practice a week ago. Rookie Jack Campbell picked up his first career shutout and is likely to be in goal this afternoon.

And for those who assume that Jaros will play because he's a rightie (to keep the left-right balance), Harpur had been practicing on the right side. For all his faults, Ceci plays big minutes against the other teams' top players, and you don't replace him with a rookie. Still, it would be interesting to see how the Sens play without Ceci.

Ceci has been so weak, it's no loss at all. Keep the Kings to the perimeter and set tkachuk loose and let's do this. I have to pvr and watch tonight.

Stone and Duchene are poised to explode. This aft would be nice

I predict another big loss. Too many hurt bodies and too many green players. Facing an experienced, although slow team. Speed will be our only weapon. I figure a high scoring affair. 6-3 for the kings

Kind don't have a seasoned vet in goal. Jack Campbell had been lights out but he's still technically a rookie. Could easily lay an egg after getting the shutout.

It'll be interesting to see line combos...I think they might have White with Boedker and Duchene.

Anyway, hopefully turns in a solid outing and we squeak out a W. There will be absolutely ZERO easy games this season.

This was first game I bet against sens

Keep doing that. Please.

I actually will lol

Wideman with the lowest ice time on the team with only 8 minutes Harper led all D in time on ice

I've been one of the biggest Ceci supporters/apologists on here. Didn't look like they missed him very much.

I said the during the pre-season and I'll say it again: Harpur wasn't terrible.

Chabot is 2nd in D scoring, Lajoie tied for third.

Taking out the empty net goals, the Sens have given up 19 in 5 games which is one fewer than the Leafs after 5 games.

Ev wrote:This was first game I bet against sens

How did that work out for you?