Game 73 preview: Chicago Blackhawks @ Ottawa Senators

A preview of the game between the Ottawa Senators and Chicago Blackhawks on 28 March 2014.

Senators legend Peter Regin will play his second game back in Ottawa tonight as the Senators host the Chicago Blackhawks. The Blackhawks lineup might also include the Senators long time stalwart, Magic Number Seven, David Rundblad. A third former Senator, Marian Hossa, while not as successful as the previous two, will also play tonight against his old team.

The Blackhawks lost 3-0 in Boston last night while the Senators last game was a shootout loss in Florida. Craig Anderson will return tonight and Mika Zibanejad is also expected to make his return. Here are the likely lines:

Michalek - Spezza - Hemsky
MacArthur - Turris - Stone
Greening - Smith - Neil
Hoffman - Zibanejad - Condra

Methot - Karlsson
Cowen - Gryba
Wiercioch - Ceci

Anderson (starter)
Lehner

Some Erik Karlsson notes for tonight:

  • Erik Karlsson's point streak has now reached eight games, tallying three goals and nine assists.
  • Should Karlsson get at least six more points over the next ten games, he will become the second defenceman in the last 20 years to get 75 or more points twice. Brian Leetch was the other.
  • Karlsson needs 31 more shots to break his own club record for shots on goal by a defenceman in a season.
  • Karlsson is four goals behind Chris Phillips for the all-time lead in even strength goals by Senators defencemen. Phillips has 51, Wade Redden had 49 and Karlsson has 47.
  • In his fifth season for Ottawa, only Phillips, Redden and Anton Volchenkov have spent more seasons in Ottawa among defencemen.

Some notes for Erik's minions:

  • With Bobby Ryan out for the season, this is going to be a pretty opportunity for Mark Stone to make an impression over 10 games with some pretty great linemates.
  • Craig Anderson will return from injury tonight. How will he look? The Blackhawks offence isn't the easiest thing to return to.
  • Chris Phillips is healthy but will not play tonight. A sign of things to come hopefully, especially for next year.
  • For those still wondering, the Senators are eight points back of a playoff spot. They are currently sixth last in the NHL.
  • Chicago is really such a fun team to watch. They don't get obsessed with that physicality nonsense and just play great and entertaining hockey. This should be the team the Sens try to emulate rather than going goon-for-goon with Toronto.
  • Duncan Keith is two assists ahead of Karlsson for the assists lead among defencemen.

Here are some stats for the two teams tonight.

Category Ottawa Chicago
Player # Player #
Goals Bobby Ryan 23 Patrick Sharp 30
Assists Erik Karlsson 49 Duncan Keith 51
Points Erik Karlsson 69 Patrick Sharp 71
Shots Erik Karlsson 231 Patrick Sharp 283
Average Ice time Erik Karlsson 27:17 Duncan Keith 24:38

Category Ottawa Chicago
# Rank # Rank
Goals For 2.79 11th 3.23 1st
Goals Against 3.28 29th 2.47 8th
Corsi Close % 51.9% 9th 55.7% 2nd
Fenwick Close % 50.7% 13th 55.3% 2nd
Shots For 32.6 4th 33.2 2nd
Shots Against 34.7 28th 27.1 4th

Not everyone can afford to pay for sports coverage right now, and that is why we will keep as much of the site's content free for as long as we can.


But if you are able to, please consider subscribing to help keep our articles free (and get a few extra perks).

Erik Condra
  • Ability to comment and participate in our community
  • Twice monthly newsletter available only to subscribers
  • Ad-free reading
  • Our undying love and appreciation
Brady Tkachuk
  • Everything from the Erik Condra tier
  • 10% discount on all merch
  • Access to any future paywalled content
  • A personal thank-you from the Silver Seven staff
Daniel Alfredsson
  • Everything from the Brady Tkachuk tier
  • Inner peace knowing you are supporting quality, independent coverage of your favourite sports team