Silver Nuggets: Game one tonight! Elliott starts in net

The Ottawa Senators are playing their first playoff game in what seems like forever tonight, taking on the Pittsburgh Penguins in game one of the Eastern Conference Quarter Final. Some notes and headlines for tonight's matchup:

• Naturally, Brian Elliott will be the starter tonight. Ryan Shannon and Shean Donovan are the healthy scratches. (Twitter)
• Good news times two for the Senators, regarding the Penguins roster: Matt Cooke (head) will play tonight, so Andy Sutton can hammer him into next week, and Chris Kunitz (shoulder) will not play, so there's one less offensive threat to worry about. (Citizen)
• Sens coach Cory Clouston is going to try to pit Jason Spezza head-to-head against Sidney Crosby. (Sun)
• The prediction panel's homerism continues unabated into the playoffs, with seven of eight predictors calling an Ottawa win tonight. (Citizen)
• Darren talked to PensBurgh about the upcoming series, and makes us look bad by predicting a Penguins win. Sigh... such professionalism. (PensBurgh)
• Something about neophytes and crucibles... bottom line, our rookies (say they) they aren't intimidated by the playoffs. (Citizen)
• Erik Karlsson, for one, is confident and ready to go. (Sun)

(Read more... )

• Well, this is reassuring: Alex Kovalev's career is not over. Wait, that was a concern? This can't be good. (Sun)
• Apparently Jonathan Cheechoo wasn't just called up, he's been put through re-entry waivers. I think it's just a technicality to get him back on to the NHL roster. (TSNBobMcKenzie)
• Want another first round preview? Check out Duff's. (AOSB)
• And Sens Chirp breaks it down, too. (Sens Chirp)
• I tried my best to give Leafs fans a few good reasons to cheer for the Sens over the Pens. They didn't buy it, but that's fine; we're better off without them! (PPP)
• Martin St. Pierre, one of the good stories for the Binghamton Senators this season, appears poised to take his game to Europe next season. (Sharp)
• With the apparently imminent departure of St. Pierre and certain other key players, the B-Sens will have a bit of a youth movement next season. Pending signings this off-season. (Press & Sun Bulletin)
• Eric Gryba, one of those young guys, enjoyed his glimpse of the AHL in his short stint with Bingo. (Sharp)