PHILADELPHIA -- The last time the Ottawa Senators were in Philadelphia, on March 2, a rare thing happened -- Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson was assessed a major penalty and a game misconduct.
Alfredsson was angered over a hit by the Flyers' Zac Rinaldo on Ottawa defenseman Chris Phillips near the Ottawa bench in the third period, and cross-checked Rinaldo immediately after the hit on Phillips. Alfredsson was assessed a major for cross-checking and a game misconduct. It was the second time in Alfredsson's 17-season NHL career he had been called for a major penalty and game misconduct, with the other time coming April 9, 2002.
Of Alfredsson's 29 penalty minutes this season, 15 came on that one play.
Thursday marks the first time the teams have met since then, but it's doubtful we'll see the same level of physicality, but it has nothing to do with the fact that Rinaldo is out of the lineup with a sprained left ankle.
"It's an important game for both teams," Alfredsson said. "I don't expect anything special to happen unless one team gets up four or five goals."
Alfredsson said he does expect the Flyers to play their usual aggressive, attacking style, but hopes his team can use that play to its advantage.
"We know they're going to be aggressive, it's up to us to make that to our advantage and move the puck quick," he said. "If we can make them go out of their way to makechecks and we move the puck quick, we should create a lot of chances from that."
Contact Adam Kimelman at [email protected]. Follow himon Twitter: @NHLAdamK
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