Game 11 preview: Detroit Red Wings @ Ottawa Senators

The Ottawa Senators will play the second game of a home-and-home with the Detroit Red Wings back in Ottawa tonight. The Senators had possibly their best performance of the season in last night's 3-1 win in Detroit. The victory propelled the Senators to second place in a rather weak Atlantic division so far.

Ottawa will once again go with the same lineup except Craig Anderson will return in net. Petr Mrazek will start for the Red Wings. Here are the lines:

Prince - Turris - Stone
Puempel - Zibanejad - Ryan
Michalek - Pageau - Chiasson
McCormick - Smith - Neil

Methot - Karlsson
Wiercioch - Ceci
Cowen - Borowiecki (*gulps*)

Anderson (starter)
Hammond

Some notes for tonight:

• Erik Karlsson probably had his best game of the season. He was brilliant last night. Karlsson has been on the ice for all 7 goals that Ottawa has scored in the last two games. Despite some odd criticisms, he has nearing his best once more.
• The second pairing of Patrick Wiercioch and Cody Ceci was also quite good.
• The bottom pairing is still not capable of exiting the zone cleanly, but at this point, if Mark Borowiecki is just flipping the puck out to no one, that might still be considered a win for him.
• On the bright side, the Kyle Turris line seems to have found their feet without Mike Hoffman. They were excellent last night.
• Craig Anderson has had a save percentage under 90% for three straight games. I have a feeling that run will end tonight.
• How stupid was Zack Smith last night? Goodness gracious. He may have been benched for the third period last night, but Ottawa has no other healthy forwards so he will play again tonight.
• Karlsson's 10 assists are tied for second in the NHL but he is still looking for his first goal of the season. He hit the post last night.
• Ottawa's season really has gone to script so far. They have scored a lot of goals and they have allowed a lot of goals.
• The Red Wings have lost six out of seven and frankly look absolutely awful. Ottawa should crush them tonight. The only goal they scored last night was on their second 5-on-3 of the game.
• Bobby Ryan only has one goal on a goalie this year but he is looking much better recently. If he keeps getting scoring chances, the goals should come./