Game 51 Preview: Ottawa Senators @ Pittsburgh Penguins

It’s been awhile since we’ve had a game to talk about!

The Senators return to the ice after the All-Star and bye week with a visit to Pittsburgh.

The Sens have won both games against the Penguins so far this season in completely opposite fashion - one by shooting the lights out for a 6-4 final, and the other a low scoring 2-1 final on the back of one of Craig Anderson’s stellar performances.

A few roster changes since the last game to note. Christian Wolanin and Rudolfs Balcers were sent down to Belleville when the break started, and have not yet been recalled. On the positive side, Colin White is healthy again and back in the lineup. It looks like Anders Nilsson will get the start tonight.

Here are your expected lineups, at least until Boucher hits the “Frappe” button:

Game Notes

• When he takes the ice tonight, Anders Nilsson will be doing it in his new lid
• Since they put the bye week in, the record of teams in their first game back always has a big deal made of it. So far this season, the combined record is 4-5-1... though most were matchups between two teams in their first game back.
• Some changes on the Pittsburgh side of the roster sheet, with the Pens sending Derick Brassard and Riley Sheahan to Florida for Nick Bjugstad and Jared McCann - both expected to be in the lineup tonight
• Also on the Pens side of things, Malkin missed yesterday’s skate. The team didn’t skate today, so no updates but nobody is freaking out so I’d bet he is in
• Dzingel and Duchene were both over a point per game in January. If they’re going to be somewhere else by the end of the month, it’s a good time to get hot.
• Both teams are going back to back - Sens back in Ottawa to face Detroit tomorrow, while the Pens will be heading for Toronto

Here are some stats, courtesy of NHL.com and Natural Stat Trick.