Silver Nuggets: Kovalev looking to get dirty, Spezza sticks with wood

Because it's a home game I haven't seen any roster notes for tonight's game against the New York Rangers yet, but I'll have some posted once I find them. Here are the rest of the news and notes for the day, including roster updates:

• UPDATE: Brian Elliott gets the start in goal tonight, while Ryan Shannon and Jesse Winchester sit upstairs; Shean Donovan is in tonight. (Twitter)
• If you're checking out tonight's prediction panel, you'll notice two things: Three of us picked a 3-2 win for Ottawa, and I'm running at a 60 percent accuracy rating. (Citizen)
• Pascal Leclaire's going to need to be better than he has been, although I think on most nights he's looked a lot stronger than his 2.89 GAA, .892 SP would indicate. (CP)
• We're calling him 'loaf-alev'? Really? I will admit, though, Alex Kovalev has left me wanting (much) more so far this season. (Province)
• At least Kovalev is saying the right things about earning points and working to get powerplays: "Get your nose dirty". (Citizen)
• Cory Clouston will, at some point today, announce who's starting in nets for Ottawa, Leclaire or Brian Elliott. (Sun) [Update: As you can see at the top of the page, Elliott gets the nod.]
• Looks like Jason Spezza hasn't liked his time with one-piece composite sticks, and will soon enjoy some specially-made wood sticks from Reebok. I'm surprised more players, particularly defencemen, haven't made the switch back. (Citizen)

• Down on the farm, Binghamton Senators forward Tim Spencer was suspended three games for leaving the bench during a scrum this past Wednesday. That's kind of a no-no. (Sharp on the Sens)
• The B-Sens also smoked the Adirondack Phantoms 5-0 last night, with two goals from each of Denis Hamel and Derek Smith plus another from Erik Condra. Erik Karlsson and Joshua Hennessy each had two assists, while Mike Brodeur stopped 21 shots for the shutout (his second goose-egg so far in November). (theAHL.com)