The month ahead: December 2009

The Senators had a very successful November, going 7-3-2 for the month. However, it'll be quite a task to do as well in December, which should prove to be among the biggest challenges of the regular season. The Sens have 17 games in the month, including three sets of back-to-backs. The Sens also play nine road games during the month, although they finish the month (and 2009) with a three game homestand.

Key games:

December 1 - Ottawa @ Sharks - well, we all know how that turned out, right?

December 6 - Ottawa @ Anaheim Ducks - It's tough enough facing the team that beat the Sens in Ottawa's only Stanley Cup Finals appearance, but this is also on the end of the team's first back-to-back.

December 14 - Ottawa @ Toronto Maple Leafs - The Sens are 2-0-0 against the Leafs so far this year, and no doubt hope to pull out a convincing win at the Air Canada Centre.

December 19 - Minnesota Wild @ Ottawa - Former Senator Martin Havlat makes a rare appearance in Ottawa with his new team. He's been disappointing as a member of the Wild this season, and I'm sure he'll look to light it up against his old teammates. It's also the end of the second back-to-back of the month.

December 21 - Boston Bruins @ Ottawa - the Sens hope to not lost 4-3 in a shootout for the third time this season.

December 30 - Colorado Avalanche @ Ottawa - the surprising Avalanche have done well this season based on a roster with young talent and the red-hot Craig Anderson. This should be a fun game to watch.