Game 5 preview: Ottawa Senators @ Anaheim Ducks

The Ottawa Senators season has gotten progressively worse, at least in terms of results. After starting with a win in Buffalo, the Senators lost a shootout in Toronto. Following that, the Senators didn't make it to a shootout but ended up losing in overtime to the Kings. Finally, Ottawa lost in regulation in San Jose. So the cycle has reached its conclusion. The only question is will it slowly return towards a win or reset right from the start?

With that out of the way, here are the lineups. Craig Anderson is expected to start and no other changes have been announced as of right now. Here are how the lines ended in the third period last night:

Ottawa

Michalek - Spezza - Ryan
MacArthur - Turris - Conacher
Condra - Pageau - Neil
Smith - Da Costa - Greening

Methot - Karlsson
Cowen - Wiercioch
Phillips - Gryba Corvo

Anderson (starter)
Lehner

Anaheim (from DailyFaceOff)

Maroon - Getzlaf - Perry
Silfverberg - Perrault - Selane
Cogliano - Koivu - Winnik
Palmieri - Bonino - Etem

Beauchemin - Lindholm
Allen - Vatanen
Lovejoy - Fowler

Hiller
Fasth

Some notes for today:

• Did you know what Bobby Ryan used to play for Anaheim? Also Jakob Silfverberg used to play for Ottawa. Both have had good starts to the year with Ryan having two goals and two assists in four games and Silfverberg having four goals and one assist in four games. All four of Jacke's goals have been on even strength.
• The Senators have really started the season as expected. The two games in Buffalo and Toronto returned three points, which was the most likely outcome. The two games in Los Angeles and San Jose returned one point, also the most likely outcome.
• The club has also played to its strengths and struggled with its expected weaknesses. They have created a lot offensively and struggled a lot defensively, which would correspond with the current makeup of the roster.
• Both clubs have had their second lines be the better line so far. Silfverberg - Perrault - Selanne have combined for six goals and six assists so far. The Senators second line only has two goals but still has played very well.
• The Senators top line for all their struggles have four goals in four games so far but have spent more time in their zone than attacking so far this season.
• The Ducks really have a good set of forwards. The Senators defence is going to have to be a lot better than it was last night. The second pairing in particular could be in for another handful tonight.
• The Senators have allowed just under 40 shots per game so far. That is...ugly.
• Anaheim will wear its throwback Might Ducks jerseys today.

Here are some stats leaders for the two teams tonight.