The Senators play the final game of their season-long 5 game homestand tonight when they host the Philadelphia Flyers. Ottawa sits at 2-0-2 so far, and can come out of it with 8 of a possible 10 points, which no matter how they got them, would have to be considered pretty successful. However, if they lose in regulation is sits at 6 out of 10 which is very mediocre so there is a lot riding on this one.
In fact, the Senators next two home games are both against the Flyers, as they will also be the guest after Ottawa returns from its 3 game Western road trip that passes through Dallas, Colorado and Arizona.
But first things first, they need to take care of business tonight in a very winnable game.
While the Flyers have been much maligned for their lack of defense, it is their offense that has let them down so far this season. They are one of just 3 teams (Carolina and Anaheim being the others) that have not managed to score 2 goals per game and they have a league-low 1.79 goals per game. This is partly due to a brutal power play that sits 4th from the bottom and for a team that includes 2 of the top 11 scorers from last season that isn't good enough.
Part of the problem is the lack of production from the blue line, where without the injured Mark Streit there isn't a lot of offensive jump and Luke Schenn is the top scoring offensive defenseman with 5 points. Although keep an eye on rookie Shayne Gostisbehere who has stepped right into the power play after Streit was put on IR and has a goal and an assist in 3 games
On the flipside, their penalty killing isn't good either (but has been improving) and their defensive play hasn't been able to make up for the lack of scoring, which makes for a tough start to the season. They are coming off a 1-0 overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night.
For the Senators, Bobby Ryan is wielding the hot stick up front but will be a game day decision as he recovers from the upper body injury he sustained in the final minutes of Thursday night's win over Columbus. He skated this morning as if he was playing which is a good sign for tonight.
Erik Karlsson leads the way from the back end, 5 goals and 9 points in his currently active five game point streak. While the offense is most welcome, his "give a crap" meter for playing in his own end seems to have been turned on in recent games as well and his all-around game is back in Norris form after not being at that level for the first dozen games or so.
Jared Cowen will return to the lineup in favor of Patrick Wiercioch, who suffered a head injury (read: Probable Concussion) against the Jackets.
With Andrew Hammond still out, Craig Anderson will start again, and probably would have anyways, coming off a shutout and all.
This has the makings of a track meet with lots of scoring chances. Both teams allow a ton of shots, in fact the two most per game (Ottawa - 34.2 and Philly 33.1). This could be a case of last shot wins unless either goalie can come up with a standout performance.
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