Few National Hockey League players grew up dreaming of becoming penalty killing specialists in the big leagues.
When the Ottawa Senators woke up in the Florida sunshine Saturday morning, they should have smelled the coffee. Suddenly, the objects in the rear-view mirror – the teams hunting them down for a playoff spot – are closer than they appear. A post-season appearance is anything but a guarantee for the Senators.
After spending his first practice as a member of the Ottawa Senators on a line with Mika Zibanejad and Jakob Silfverberg Thursday, incoming rookie Cory Conacher says his Swedish definitely needs to improve.
As Ottawa Senators defenceman Chris Phillips prepared Monday for the charter flight here, kick-starting a seven-game, 15-day odyssey which will eventually cover 6,670 kilometres, he was able to put some perspective on the situation.
If Ben Bishop is nervous about his future with the trade deadline only a few days away, he’s translating that anxiety into superb play.
The Pittsburgh Penguins continue to load up ahead of the trade deadline, but their moves don’t guarantee their success in this topsy-turvy NHL season.
At this point, it appears the Senators’ No. 1 goaltender, Craig Anderson, will still be on the sidelines Saturday in the latest chapter of the Battle of Ontario against the Toronto Maple Leafs.