Stone joins the Sens for today's skate, Hoffman's heating up offensively and more before the Sens host the Devils tonight at Canadian Tire Centre.
1. Stone resumes skating
Nice little surprise at today's morning skate as Mark Stone rejoined the team for practice for the first time since injurying his knee on January 20th against Toronto. "It's alway frustrating just watching from the stands," said Stone on his recovery. "And when the team is traveling you're stuck here by yourself." Stone has missed the Sens' previous 7 games as a result of the injury but the team's current leader in goals (18) and points (44) is on the mend. "It's really coming on along," he said. "I had one little minor setback before the All-Star break where it swelled up on me after a skate but I've skated four days in a row now and things are looking up." Instagram from @senators: Morning skate. Stone has been ruled out for tonight's game against New Jersey but he feels confident that he should be able to return to active duty sometime this week. "We'll see how I feel for Thursday but at the latest I should be ready for Saturday."
2. The Devil you know
The Sens have recorded points in their previous 5 games against the Devils and hold a record of 3-0-2 since the beginning of the 2016-17 season. Over that span, Ottawa has 4 skaters that have all recorded at least a point-per-game against New Jersey led by Erik Karlsson with 6 points (2G, 4A) in 5 games while 3 others are tied with 5 points apeice (Derick Brassard, Zack Smith and Jean-Gabriel Pageau). In 9 starts against the Devils as a Senator, Craig Anderson holds a record of 6-2-1 which is highlighted by an impressive .937 sv% during those contests. Sens head coach Guy Boucher confirmed that Anderson will start in for goal for the Sens tonight.
3. Hoffman heating up
After recording just a single point during the Sens' recent 6-game losing skid at the end of January, Mike Hoffman has responded with 4 points (1G, 3A) in the past 3 games and has found some very good chemistry alongside centre Matt Duchene on the team's top line.
While not included in his current point streak, Hoffman's shootout winner against the Flyers on Saturday was a thing of beauty and helped the Sens string together consecutive victories for the first time in nearly two months. Hoffman currently leads the Sens in shots (167) and sits tied for third on the team in goal (13) and points (34) in 51 games played this season.
4. Previous meeting
These teams last met in New Jersey on Oct. 27th where the Sens rallied late in the third period to force extra time before dropping a 5-4 decision in a shootout to the Devils. Chris DiDomenico scored his first career NHL goal with just 37 seconds remaining to help produce an exiting finish but Jesper Bratt's 4th round shootout goal would seal the win for the Devils. Full highlight from that game are below...
5. Where to watch
It's a 7:30 p.m. game time tonight at Canadian Tire Centre and there are still some seats available so grab some now and join us for puck drop. Click here for more details on tickets for tonight. Aren't able to make it to the rink? Then head out and catch tonight's game at Oliver's Pub on campus at Carleton University where they'll be serving up $6 pints of Molson Canadian all evening. Tonight's game is also available on TSN5 and RDS or on the radio with Dean Brown and Gord Wilson on TSN 1200. Instagram from @senators: It's a #Sens game day! The Sens are back at CTC tonight to host the Devils at 7:30 p.m. #GoSensGo