Game 67: Ottawa Senators @ Florida Panthers
The Ottawa Senators are in a dogfight with a few teams for lottery picks this year, and the Florida Panthers are rapidly making up space in the race to the bottom of the league's standings. Although Ottawa's still eight points behind (ahead?) the Panthers, Florida's playing some pretty awful hockey of late, with only two wins in their last nine games.
Some players I'll be watching tonight:
- Craig Anderson: Will make his ninth straight start since joining the Senators. He was among the most culpable in Ottawa's stolen victory over the New Jersey Devils on the weekend; will he have to steal the game tonight? And will he have extra motivation playing against a former team?
- Jason Spezza: Looked like an All-Star and offered evidence that he should be the next captain of this team, when the current captain retires (which hopefully will be never, but probably will be sometime in the next few seasons). He's the only actual top-six forward on our current lineup; can he keep going?
- Ryan Shannon: Lucky Number 26 is getting lots of press these days, and for good reason: With most other veterans in the lineup traded or injured, Shannon has stepped up to fill the void admirably. He's playing for a contract, and playing darn well.
- David Booth: Two points last game, and is on a three-game point streak. Will he extend it against the Sens?
- Erik Karlsson: Currently Ottawa's top scorer, although he's only one point ahead of Spezza--with 17 more games played. Will he stay atop, or be usurped?
Join us in the comments for an awesomely good time. Seriously, it'll be awesomely good! And we'll all watch and see if Crooklyn's Hasse painting makes it onto the TV!
