Up next: Daniel Alfedsson, Pascal Leclaire and the Ottawa Senators

by FrankD on Dec 23, 2009 7:00 AM EST in 2009-10 game previews

[SBN Senators blog - Silver Seven]

I guess Pascal Leclaire picked a good night to come back from injury. Since that fateful day in late November when a stray puck met and broke the jaw of an unsuspecting Leclaire minding his own business on the Ottawa bench, the Senators have gone 6-8-1. Whether he'll get the official nod is still up in the air, but all signs point to yes on the Sens' page. Back-up netminder Brian Elliot has done his part to keep the Sens in it, but with injuries plaguing Chris Neil (also expected back tonight) and Jason Spezza (torn MCL), the going has been tough for Ottawa. Although, much to his credit, he did shutout the Sabres and Flyers in December (thanks).

If there's one thing the Sens and Pens have in common heading into tonight's game, it's that they are both coming off the wrong end of shutouts. While the Pens were trying to crack the egg on Mellon ice Monday night, up in Ottawa the Bruins were sealing a 2-0 shutout for Tim Thomas.

Sof ar this season the series between Ottawa and Pittsburgh is tied at one a piece. The Pens picked up a 4-1 win on the road earlier in the season on October 12, but a little over a month later fell 6-2 on Ottawa ice. So far this season the Pens are 12-6-1 on home ice (although for some reason I thought it was worse), whereas the Sens are 5-9-1 on the road.

Names you want to keep an eye on: Daniel Alfredsson (9g, 22a), Mike Fisher (15g, 14a), Milan Michalek (16g, 6a) and our old friend Alex Kovalev (7g, 13a).

Oh, and how could I forget? Carrie Underwood and Fisher are tying the knot. How lovely. As Greg from PuckDaddy suggests, the new Carrie Fisher is just mere months away. Star Wars nerds unite!

Puck and thread drop at 7:05. Come on by.

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Has anyone seen the “new” line combinations?
Dupuis-Crosby-Fedotenko
Kunitz-Malkin-Guerin
Cooke-Staal-Kennedy
Rupp-Adams-Talbot/Godard

I like the fact that Geno is getting new linemates because I think that is part of the reason why he’s “slumping” a bit, but I thought the old Crosby line had been playing fantastic and was finally getting back in the groove since Kunitz came back.
I wish they would’ve at least kept Guerin or Kunitz with Crosby.

871

by PensFan8725 on Dec 23, 2009 2:10 PM EST reply actions

To add to my own comment, what if they put Crosby with TK? If the coaching staff is so insistent on keeping the Staal line together, why not try Rupp with Crosby? Hasn’t he earned the privilege to skate on the top line just as much as Dupuis with less playing time?

871

by PensFan8725 on Dec 23, 2009 2:39 PM EST up reply actions

I don’t think Rupp is fast enough to keep up with Crosby.

by PensFan024 on Dec 23, 2009 3:02 PM EST up reply actions

Isn’t that what everyone says about Guerin? I still think it’s worth a shot…I wish they would’ve kept Crosby’s line the way it was, but if they want to shake things up Rupp probably deserves it more than anyone else.

871

by PensFan8725 on Dec 23, 2009 3:16 PM EST up reply actions

I wish they would have just left it too.

by PensFan024 on Dec 23, 2009 3:44 PM EST up reply actions

That’s exactly what answered me own question of “Why is Dupuis on the first line?”

But let’s be honest. These lines might stay as is for about 10 minutes. Then DB will exhibit his usual ADD and start throwing them up against the wall and taking what sticks.

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by FrankD on Dec 23, 2009 3:22 PM EST up reply actions

“me own question?”

Jeez. It’s not even International Pirate Day.

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by FrankD on Dec 23, 2009 3:22 PM EST up reply actions

Arrrrrrrrrgh Matey! :)

by Ulf Murphy on Dec 23, 2009 4:02 PM EST up reply actions

I think Dupuis with Crosby makes a lot of sense, they’ve played a lot together in the past and I think Dupuis is skating and working hard out there. I think putting Dupuis with Sid makes more sense than with Malkin.

Pensburgh.com

You come at the king, you best not miss.

by Hooks Orpik on Dec 23, 2009 4:30 PM EST up reply actions

I agree with Frank, just cause DB lists them as linemates doesn’t mean anything more than that is who they play their first shift with.

by Ulf Murphy on Dec 23, 2009 4:04 PM EST up reply actions

I agree, doesn’t mean it’ll be constant. I don’t mind the shuffling to see if they can find something new, especially with the lack of goals they’ve scored in the past 2 games.

Pensburgh.com

You come at the king, you best not miss.

by Hooks Orpik on Dec 23, 2009 4:30 PM EST up reply actions

BTW – I’m a bit surprised Shean Donovan is returning to the Senators lineup tonight. He tore two ligaments in his knee five weeks ago and is expected to return to the lineup tonight, much earlier than expected.

http://senators.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=510939&navid=DL|OTT|home

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by FrankD on Dec 23, 2009 3:29 PM EST reply actions