Auld gets another start for Senators, Gonchar out
The Senators will do some lineup shuffling for Tuesday’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers at Scotiabank Place. Alex Auld will be in net again, after Craig Anderson had to miss practice Monday for personal reasons.
The Senators will do some lineup shuffling for Tuesday’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers at Scotiabank Place.
Alex Auld will be in net again, after Craig Anderson had to miss practice Monday for family reasons. Anderson is expected to back up tomorrow and should get the start on Thursday against the Winnipeg Jets.
Auld, who was sharp in Ottawa’s 2-1 loss to the Washington Capitals, was looking forward to getting into consecutive games — something that won’t happen much this season.
“I think that that’s something that’s always nice for a goalie — I haven’t really experienced that much over the last year and a bit, but it’s definitely good to feel a bit of a rhythm,” he said following practice.
Veteran defenceman Sergei Gonchar, who left Saturday’s game against Washington after taking a puck to the foot, is day-to-day with what the team is calling a bruise. He’ll miss the Philly game, allowing Brian Lee to draw in.
Also, coach Paul MacLean told reporters Monday that winger Bobby Butler may be placed on injured reserve after he re-aggravated a groin injury.
“Right now, (his recovery) is going to be longer than we thought,” MacLean said.
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Other notable items from practice Monday:
— No decision has been yet on where Mika Zibanejad will wind up after he plays his ninth NHL game this season. The 18-year-old hasn’t looked out of place here, but the team may still decide to send him back to Sweden and save a year on his contract. MacLean said the decision will be based on whether or not the “environment” is right for him here. “I think Mika can play in the NHL,” he said. MacLean suggested the quality of the environment is determined by wins and losses.
— Full MacLean audio here, including expanding on the importance of the upcoming home stand.
The longer Gonchar is out, the better the team will do!! You simply CANNOT put him on the ice and expect to win. He brings down the whole team, not to mention all the hometown fans. He is DONE!!
Actually, Gonchar played what was probably his best period of hockey before he got hurt blocking that shot. He was strong on the puck, played great positional defense and was moving the puck well. Gonchar is not done, and can still be a valuable contributor to the team. Is he worth $5.5mil? Probably not, but that is what he’s getting paid and we can’t change that. It isn’t like we need the cap space for someone else. Let’s appreciate him for what he can bring to the team, specifically a solid veteran presence and a great role model for our young d-men. This is a different team, with a different coach than it was last year. Give him a chance this season to get his skates under him before we throw him under the bus.
And I suppose that you would say the same thing about Wade Redden? There clearly is a point where the game passes a player by, and we can clearly see this has happened to Gonchar a couple of years back (and I am no hockey nut either – but I pay attention when watching a game). Next up – Chris Philips – lost a step or two already and not lloking good most nights.