Silver Nuggets: Tavares love-in, Leclaire to start tonight
A double-dose of Ottawa Senators news, because we didn't get you any yesterday. We're just that nice.
- Both Filip Kuba and Ryan Shannon will miss their second consecutive games tonight against the Islanders. Pascal Leclaire will get the start in net. (Ottawa Citizen, Ottawa Citizen)
- Speaking of tonight's game against the Islanders, wanna see some predictions? The Citizen's panel of pundits, including yours truly, all pick Ottawa to win (I'm one of three who called a 4-1 final score). (Ottawa Citizen)
- The Senators are apparently excited to "watch" John Tavares tonight (Chris Phillips said that exact word). I'm hoping they're not too busy watching him to check him. (Canadian Press)
- Sens d-man Erik Karlsson wants to get his retribution after losing in the World Championships to the Tavares-led Canadian squad. What better place than a regular-season game in the first month of the campaign? (Ottawa Sun)
- And if you haven't had enough of the Tavares love-fest, here's more. (Ottawa Citizen)
More news after the jump...
- Puck Daddy ranks the Michalek-Spezza-Alfredsson line as one of the top 5 in the league. Hopefully they start playing like it. (Puck Daddy)
- Although Brian Elliott's generally recognized as the backup to Leclaire, he's not letting the man keep him down. (Daily Observer/OttawaSenators.com)
- Goaltending prospect Robin Lehner made Ryan Kennedy's hot list of players on the fast track to the NHL--he was number seven. (The Hockey News)
- Alex Kovalev is now writing a French column for RDS' website. Pierre LeBrun thinks it's "intriguing" to become affiliated with the largely Canadiens-centric network, but I doubt Sens' brass have a problem with it--he's just making the Senators more popular with more French Canadians. (ESPN)
- Not many of us like Ron Wilson, but at least he gave Ottawa some credit for the return negotiated in the Dany Heatley deal. And he should be pretty familiar with Jonathan Cheechoo and Milan Michalek, having coached them in San Jose for a little bit. (Ottawa Sun)
- Having trouble choosing which grocery store to shop at? Well, Metro is the official grocery retailer of the Ottawa Senators, if that means anything to you. Don't let the lack of fresh produce keep you away. (Senators website)