Game 69 preview: Chicago Blackhawks @ Ottawa Senators

The Ottawa Senators will look to go top of the Atlantic Division table when they host the Chicago Blackhawks tonight. A point would lift Ottawa ahead of Montréal on the games played tiebreaker while a win would move them a point ahead of the Habs.

The Senators are coming off a disappointing overtime loss to the Lightning that ended Ottawa's six game winning streak. The Blackhawks won in Montréal on Tuesday to move into first place in the Central Division.

Ottawa will once again be without Mark Stone, Craig Anderson and Mark Borowiecki who are out with injures. Mike Condon will start in net.

Here are the likely lines and pairings:

Smith - Turris - Dzingel
Burrows - Brassard - Ryan
Hoffman - Pageau - Pyatt
Stålberg - Kelly - Wingels

Methot - Karlsson
Phaneuf - Ceci
Claesson - Wideman

Condon (starter)
Driedger

Some notes for tonight:

• It really is too bad that the Senators will be without Mark Stone for the massive games against Montréal on the weekend.
• A win tonight would mean that even if Ottawa is swept on the weekend, they would be three points back of the division lead with two games in hand.
• The goal by Tommy Wingels on Tuesday was his first since his Senators debut. He had gone 20 games without a goal.
• Tonight will be the 35th start of the season with Ottawa for Mike Condon.
• Bobby Ryan had no points and one shot on goal in his return. Kyle Turris had no points but four shots on goal in his return.
• Turris was also able to take face-offs again and won 10 out of 13.
• Patrick Kane is making another run for the Art Ross Trophy. He is currently in a three way tie for the lead with Connor McDavid and Brad Marchand. Kane has 16 points in his last nine games.
• This will be the fifth last home game for Ottawa.
• Chicago is four points back of Washington for the Presidents' Trophy lead.
• Erik Karlsson is third in the league in assists with 49 and Kane is tied for fourth with 45.
• Ottawa has scored first 32 times and allowed the first goal 36 times this season./

Here are some stats for the two teams tonight. All stats are from NHL.com except Corsi and Fenwick are from Corsica.