Senators start Anderson against Leafs
Craig Anderson will be in net and Brian Lee will be the healthy scratch on defence as the Ottawa Senators start a five-game road trip tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
TORONTO — Craig Anderson will be in net and Brian Lee will be the healthy scratch on defence as the Ottawa Senators start a five-game road trip tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Senators will be trying to bounce back after a 2-0 loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Monday, which ended a four-game winning streak.
Even with the loss, the Senators are 8-1-1 in their last 10 games.
The Senators have recalled Mark Borowiecki and forward Andre Petersson from the Binghamton Senators. They won’t play tonight but will play on the road trip.
The Leafs have lost their last two games and are coming off a 3-0 loss to the Rangers.
The Leafs are 5-4-1 in their last 10 but have played well at the Air Canada Centre, where they are 12-6-4 this season.
I love Matt Carkner, but I’d sooner see Lee in the lineup against a speedy team than Carks. His grit is terrific, and he’s a useful 5-6-7, but he looked like he was stuck in a pail of sand against the Peg last night. Sens really need to pick up the PACE and compete level tonight or they’ll get embarrassed…I sure don’t expect the blue team to come out flat at home.
Go Sens!
PS: Are either Petersson or Boroweicki expected to play, or are they just up to get some exposure tonight, and did they send anybody back down to Bingo???
butts, I believe the Sen’s are able to carry two players who aren’t dressed and with Winchester, Regin, and now Lee out they have room to bring these two players up. According to the story they will play at some point on this road trip. I agree with you on Carkner vs. Lee. To me Lee who’s still young has made some strides in improving his game this season, personally I think he matchs well w. Chris Phillips. I’m curious to see where Boroweicki is at. In the pre-season he was hitting everything that moved, something the Sen’s could use from time to time on D. If someone get’s sent down it would likely have to be Daugavins as he’s still on a two way contract. If someone gets sat down it will likely be Konopka, especially if Carkner’s already dressed.
BITD, I knew we were a couple of roster spots light with the injuries, and since I posted I checked the Bingo site and they’ve signed a couple of pro try-outs (1 F, 1 D) from the ECHL, so that explains the short-term plan on the farm.
Just like with Carks, against a lot of teams I’d sooner line up Winchester than Z on the 4th line due to speed and touch. He’s pretty rugged as well, but he does give up some face-off potential to Konopka. Although he’s started skating by himself, I think, I still haven’t heard any kind of ETA in full practice yet.
Toronto announced they’re dressing Rosehill, which may explain Carks staying in on the blue line…
In the meantime, I think it’s a great idea to expose the next likely call-ups to a bit of BOO hoopla and atmosphere. Wonder if Boroweiki or Petersson will travel west with them, or just be “interns” for tonight at ACC???
Anderson has played way too many games and should get to sit out a few games. Don’t want him to get too worn out before the Sens’ playoff run which I fully expect to extend beyond the first round. (I might have different expectations the 1st round matchup is Boston (ie Sens 8th place) but that seems unlikely).
Also I’d like to see Auld given an opportunity to play more games and redeem himself. He’s better than his record this season would indicate.
It wouldn’t hurt in the least for the Sens to have two hot goalies.