Game 52: Ottawa Senators @ Phoenix Coyotes
In the final game before the all-star break, the Ottawa Senators will visit Kyle Turris' former team, the Québec Nordiques Phoenix Coyotes. The Senators have lost back-to-back games in regulation for the first time in over two months and will be looking to end that trend. Matt Carkner will replace Mark Borowiecki and Craig Anderson will make his 727th consecutive start.
The Senators didn't practise today, but here are the lines from yesterday minus Borowiecki.
Milan Michalek - Jason Spezza - Bobby Butler
Nick Foligno - Kyle Turris - Daniel Alfredsson
Colin Greening - Zack Smith - Chris Neil
Kaspars Daugavins - Zenon Konopka - Erik Condra
Filip Kuba - Erik Karlsson
Jared Cowen - Sergei Gonchar
Chris Phillips - Matt Carkner
Craig Anderson (starter)
Alex Auld
More after the jump.
Here are things to watch out for tonight:
- Zack Smith: While he hit the post yesterday, he now hasn't had a point in 10 straight games. He should start giving a crap about that.
- End the streak: The losing streak may be only at two, but another loss tonight and the Senators will have to spend a whole week thinking about it. The next one is a road game in Boston a week from tonight, so best not to let this thing spiral.
- Turris returns: Not only will this be Turris' first game back in Phoenix, but considering he didn't exactly see eye-to-eye with Dave Tippett, he might be motivated to stick it to them. I predict a big game from him.
- Score the first goal: The Senators haven't scored the first goal in a while. They could have had that early in the game had Smith's shot not hit the post. The Senators likely played better in the last two losses than they did in the wins in Toronto and San Jose but there are only so many times they can continue to come from behind. The club must be exhausted, so hopefully they don't have to chase the play tonight.
