Silver Nuggets: Senators play Atlanta; Anderson starts again; Ovechkin returns to twitter

The Ottawa Senators return to action tonight against the Thrashers in Atlanta. No word on whether Mark will be in the crowd and booing kids and ice girls.

For all the talk about Craig Anderson ruining Ottawa's draft position, the Senators could end the night dead last in the NHL with a loss and an Oilers win. They are also a good six points behind the Islanders for third last.

Moral of the story: It's okay to hope for a win!

Here are today's links:

Tonight's game

• Game preview. (NHL.com)
• The panel is split tonight with three predicting Ottawa wins, three predicting Atlanta wins. Ian Mendes though is confused and predicts "Senators 2, Senators 3". (Sens Extra)
• Craig Anderson starts tonight, and there are no lineup changes. (Ian Mendes)
• UPDATE: In an act of shameless self promotion, and in the wrong section, here is a link to the Silver Seven Hockey Night post from earlier today. Email me and demand tickets! Now! (Silver Seven Sens)/

More after the jump.

General Sens News

• I might have been wrong about giving Gonchar the 'A'. He didn't even notice it! He doesn't see anything wrong with rebuilding though, but says he can't condone the season the Sens have had. Quotes Paraphrasing courtesy of Dmitry Chesnokov. (On the state of the Sens, On the rebuild, On being named an alternate captain)
• Craig Anderson is liking Ottawa. He also talks about the recent 4-year $15.2 million extension to Antti Niemi. Anderson has been great, but I wouldn't sign him for more than two years. (Sun)
• Daniel Alfredsson understands he is unlikely to win a Stanley Cup in his career, but he is okay with it as long as he is in Ottawa. I love you Alfie! Meanwhile, the Ottawa Sun is at its journalistic best with this: "The only cup Daniel Alfredsson is likely to get his hands on now is the one he pulls on before each practice and game." Well done, Don, well done. (Sun)
• A review of the Sens Fan Forum yesterday. Allen Panzeri notes that no one asked Eugene if Murray is sticking around. Also, the scoreboard is "a few years away". (Citizen)

General Hockey News

• Alexander Ovechkin marks his triumphant return to twitter after a 25-month hiatus with this. He posted the picture of Phil Kessel sitting alone that Ovechkin took at the all-star game. Alex adds the following comment "Hahahhaahhaa". I love you Alex! (Alexander Ovechkin)
• Sidney Crosby is still out and it is unknown when he will return. (Yahoo!)