Game 57: Nashville Predators @ Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators will try once more to snap their losing streak, which is currently sitting at seven games. Tonight, the opponents will be Mike Fisher and the Nashville Predators. That's not the only big event tonight though, as the game will also be the 1000th of Chris Phillips' career. Brian Lee and Bobby Butler will return to the lineup in the place of Zenon Konopka and Matt Carkner. Lastly, Alex Auld will start. (!!!)
Here are the lines from Nicolas St-Pierre:
Milan Michalek - Jason Spezza - Bobby Butler
Colin Greening - Kyle Turris - Daniel Alfredsson
Kaspars Daugavins - Zack Smith - Erik Condra
Nick Foligno - Jim O'Brien - Chris Neil
Filip Kuba - Erik Karlsson
Jared Cowen - Sergei Gonchar
Chris Phillips - Brian Lee
Alex Auld (starter)
Craig Anderson
Here is what I will be looking out for tonight:
- Chris Phillips: A big night for Phillips in his 1000th career game. He hasn't had a good season, being relegated to the bottom pairing, but he had an improved effort last time out. Can he keep it up tonight?
- Mike Fisher returns: Mike Fisher will play his first game back in Ottawa since being traded. He'll get a nice ovation, but hopefully he struggles after that for Ottawa's sake.
- Alex Auld starts: Alex Auld will make his first start since late December. He played most of the last game and allowed only one goal. Another game like that would help the Senators get a victory.
- Chris Neil needs to improve: He was brutal against St. Louis, with the Senators being outchanced 8-1 while Neil was on the ice and the Senators outchancing St. Louis 18-5 with Neil off the ice. He surely can't do any worse tonight.
