Game 79 Preview: Winnipeg Jets @ Ottawa Senators

It’s the final week of the regular season, with the Ottawa Senators playing their last home game of the season against the Winnipeg Jets. Both teams have had their playoff fate decided for a long time, with the Jets looking like a potential Cup threat in the West. They’ve won seven of their last eight, while the Sens have lost seven of their last eight.

Guy Boucher has decided to roll with eleven forwards and seven defencemen tonight, meaning Ben Harpur will be playing again after being a healthy scratch for the last three games. The forward coming out has yet to be decided, although my personal guess is Max McCormick. White, Chlapik and Burrows are other potential candidates.

Mark Stone and Marian Gaborik and still out of the lineup with injuries. Craig Anderson will start in net.

Here are the line combos given by TSN 1200:

Game Notes

• The annual “Which players outside of the playoffs will play at the World Championships?” conversation has begun, with Matt Duchene declining his offer from Team Canada. Mark Stone is open to the possibility, only if he’s 100% healthy.
• Some other potential Sens candidates for the tournament: Mike Hoffman (Canada), Filip Chlapik (Czech Republic), Ville Pokka (Finland), Marian Gaborik, Christian Jaros (Slovakia), Erik Karlsson (Sweden), Ryan Dzingel, Bobby Ryan, Craig Anderson, Mike Condon (USA).
• Some prospect news: Alex Formenton has joined Belleville for their six remaining regular season games. He won’t be eligible to play there next season because of the NHL-CHL transfer agreement, although he’s allowed to bypass the rule now because his junior season is finished.
• The Sens are currently guaranteed to pick in the top nine, meaning their pick will not automatically transfer to Colorado (although they still have the option to defer to next season). No outcome tonight would help lower that number.
• Current odds of picking 1st overall: 13%.
• On top of it being the final home game, it’s also the Sens’ annual Fan Appreciation Night.
• And finally, with so many questions surrounding Ottawa this off-season, this could very well be the last time we see Erik Karlsson on home ice. For those attending the game, let it be known how much we appreciate him, just in case this is it./

Here are some stats from NHL.com and Natural Stat Trick.

Player Stats

Team Stats