Silver Nuggets: Kuba on IR and out 3-4 weeks
It is a big day in Ottawa as it opens its new IKEA store to huge crowds with thundersticks amid a police presence. Bless you Ottawa, you are adorable. While I am laughing at your little town, fear not, I still like the city. Making fun of my home town can commence...now!
Back to hockey, news came out this morning that Filip Kuba (FIHL-ihp KOO-bah) has been placed on injured reserve and will be out 3-4 weeks. This is a big blow to the defence as Kuba will have to be replaced for over a month. On the other hand, the injury happens just in time for Ottawa not having to make a decision on Matt Carkner. Carkner will play for Binghamton tonight and then join the team tomorrow in New Jersey. He won't play tomorrow but will be available for Saturday's home game against Vancouver.
Kuba's injury means that Jared Cowen will likely continue to play on the top pairing with Erik Karlsson as no one else seems capable of handling that duty. It also means that David Rundblad is unlikely to be sent down to the AHL. One of Rundblad, Carkner and Lee will probably alternate in and out.
With the trade deadline on 27 February, and Kuba not expected to be back until early to mid January, this will definitely lower his trade value. Keeping his injury history in mind and the fact that he will need time to get back to his early season form, it's a huge blow to getting decent value for him. On the other hand, this should allow Matt Carkner to get some games and increase his trade value as I don't see him having a future here past this season.
Tonight's game
- Game preview. (Ottawa Sun, Senators Extra)
- The panel is optimistic tonight, six favouring a Senators win and two going with the struggling Capitals. Peter went with 4-3 Ottawa. (Senators Extra)
- No changes for tonight, Peter Regin and Nikita Filatov in the stands according to google translate. Craig Anderson starts. (Sylvain St-Laurent)
- A funny Paul MacLean video from yesterday. He was asked about his starting goaltenders for the back-to-back games and MacLean answered "I will tell you the truth if you want" in an apparent shot at Ron Wilson's whole James Reimer not starting/starting "lying" episode. Alex Auld will start tomorrow in New Jersey. (Ottawa Senators)
- Erik Karlsson and Jared Cowen seem to enjoy playing with each other and they each think they complement the other well. Karlsson adds that he trusts Cowen and is confident in his abilities. That is the key difference for me between Karlsson playing with Chris Phillips and Cowen. While both Cowen and Phillips are defensive guys at the moment, when Karlsson is playing with Phillips, I don't think Karlsson feels as confident rushing up the ice and trying to make things happen. (Ottawa Senators)
- Paul MacLean credits the Senators third period scoring to never giving up, and continuing to try for the full 60 or 65 minutes. (Ottawa Sun)
- Peter Regin is happy to be around the players again and hopes his injury problems are finally behind, but adds that one never knows. (Ottawa Sun)
- Ottawa's success is in large part to those who played in Binghamton last year: Kaspars Daugavins, Zack Smith and Erik Condra, or Ottawa's third line. (Senators Extra)