Silver Nuggets: Elliott starts; Z. Smith, Brodeur recalled

Some gameday headlines as the Ottawa Senators visit the Carolina Hurricanes tonight:

• Cory Clouston's settled on Alex Kovalev, Peter Regin, and Milan Michalek as a line combo to lead the way with Jason Spezza out for the foreseeable future. Hopefully the three can help each other get rolling, because they've put up ugly numbers independently. (Sun)
• UPDATE: It's the most optimistic prediction panel in ages! (Sens Extra)
• Zack Smith gets the call to fill out the roster, another opportunity for him to show what he can bring to the team moving forward. (Sens)
• Mike Brodeur's also up from Binghamton, as Pascal Leclaire's still working on his injury. (Sens)
• The guys from the Sun debate whether or not Kris Letang's hit on Spezza was a dirty one. (Sun)
• UPDATE: But the Sens aren't the only team dealing with an injury to their top centre. The Buffalo Sabres are without Derek Roy, the Anaheim Ducks without Ryan Getzlaf, and the Chicago Blackhawks without Jonathan Toews. (TSN)

• Milks offers his take on the 'window has closed' storyline. (Black Aces)
• A little late in the week, but the Sens are 27 in the NHL 'aggregated power rankings' or 12 in the Eastern Conference. (From the Rink)
• Nichols takes a look at what Pierre McGuire might bring to the Senators, should we be looking for a new general manager this off-season. (The 6th Sens)
• Will the Gregory Campbell/Colin Campbell controversy ever fade? Not unless the senior of the two steps down. (Puck Daddy)