The biggest change on the Ottawa Senators roster since the last time they met the Toronto Maple Leafs on March 6 is the addition of 6-foot-4, 232-pound winger Matt Kassian.
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.
Following the appearance of goaltender Craig Anderson and defenceman Jared Cowen at Ottawa Senators practice Wednesday, you half expected to see centre Jason Spezza, left winger Milan Michalek and defenceman Erik Karlsson step out of the training room to take part in the workout.
Ottawa Senators coach Paul MacLean gave his team Tuesday off from practice. No wonder. They looked like a tired team Monday, repeatedly beaten to the puck and forced into making bad decisions, over and over again, by the New Jersey Devils.
In another example of just how well Ottawa Senators back-up goaltenders Ben Bishop and Robin Lehner have filled in for injured netminder Craig Anderson, captain Daniel Alfredsson wasn’t even aware that Anderson returned to practice Monday morning.
Everything in life is relative and in the case of the injury-ravaged Ottawa Senators, injuries which turn out to be minor are now being regarded as positive news.
When it comes to winning faceoffs, Patrice Bergeron is the best in the business.