Preview and Open Thread: Chicago Blackhawks @ Ottawa Senators
Will we finally see a win?
After starting the season with two straight losses against the Leafs, the Sens are looking to get their first pre-season win tonight against the Hawks. There have been a lot of positives in the first two games regardless of what the scores have said including Tkachuk’s impressive debut, Andy playing a solid (half) game against the Leafs, promising speed and talent from Formenton and Bobby Ryan remaining uninjured.
Personally, I am mostly excited to see Filip Gustavsson in action tonight and hopefully see a more comfortable and confident Formenton.
The game is set for 7:30 tonight at Canadian Tire Centre and will be broadcast on TSN 5 and as usual can be heard on TSN 1200 for all you radio lovers.
The roster for the Sens tonight will boast a good mix of vets and rookies with fan favourites Duchene and Dzingel alonside top prospects Batherson, Formenton and Chlapik. Thomas Chabot will finally make his debut and fans will be looking to him for some defensive stability along with veteran Chris Wideman and Ben Harpur?
Projected Lineup
Formenton - Chlapik - Skille
Smith - Brown - Batherson
Kelly- Balisy - Sexton
Chabot - DeMelo
Harpur - Wideman
Englund - Burgdoerfer
Filip Gustavsson
Mike Condon
The Blackhawks have released their roster which without a surprise does not boast of the usual big names such as Kane, Toews or Keith so it seems like a good opportunity for the Sens to capitalize on a younger and less experiences team than theirs. The two teams will meet again next Thursday in Chicago where the Sens will probably see more of the seasoned Hawks players.
