Game Day Notes: Game #67 - Sens @ Penguins
by Craig Medaglia @craigmedaglia / Ottawa Senators
We've got the latest from Pittsburgh on tonight's projected line-up, starting goalie and more before taking on the Penguins at 7 p.m.
Projected line-up
Just one line-up change for tonight as Sens head coach D.J. Smith confirmed that Colin White will draw back into action this evening after missing the last three games with an upper body injury.
"It's an important time for him to get some important minutes going into the end of the year for his development," said Smith about White's return. "It's unfortunate that he got hurt but we want to get him some important minutes and tonight's one of those nights. He's going to be out there against Crosby and Malkin and you can see how the best players in the world play. You can't get this kind of development anywhere else."
Anthony Duclair made the trip to Pittsburgh but isn't quite ready to return to the line-up just yet but Smith believes he could draw back in on Thursday when the Sens return to Canadian Tire Centre to host the New York Islanders.
"He's really close," said the coach. "We thought that he could maybe play but it looks like he'll probably play against the Islanders."
With Josh Norris returned to Belleville, it looks like Artem Anisimov will get a crack at pivoting the top line tonight with Brady Tkachuk and Bobby Ryan. Anisimov had a monster game on Saturday against the Red Wings where he posted 2 goals on 10 shots plus added the shootout winner over Detroit.
Also of note, Jayce Hawryluk, who was claimed off waivers from the Florida Panthers on Feb. 17th, has been on a bit of a roll lately with his new club and has points in 3 of his last 4 games.
Here's a look at the Sens' projected line-up tonight in Pittsburgh:
Tkachuk - Anisimov - Ryan
Balcers - Tierney - Brown
Paul - White - Hawryluk
Sabourin - Peca - Boedker
Chabot - Hainsey
Reilly - Zaitsev
Englund - Jaros
In goal
The coach also confirmed that Craig Anderson (9-15-2) will get the nod in net tonight against the Penguins. Despite dropping his last 2 starts, Anderson's play has been solid in his last 5 appearances where he's posted a .913 SV% over that span (up from his season average on .901 SV%). Marcus Hogberg will not be available for personal reason so Filip Gustavsson will be on back-up duty tonight in Pittsburgh.
Previous meeting
These teams last met on Dec. 30th in Pittsburgh where the homeside took a 5-2 decision. Nick Paul scored both Sens' goals that night but the Penguins' high-powered offence responded with multi-point efforts from four different players.
"We knew what we were coming into," Paul said post-game. "We have to get back to playing a full 60 minutes hard. We can't take any letups...just tighten up our game. Our neutral zone is usually our best part of our game. We're letting too many odd-man rushes. I think we just have to tighten up, play hard and get back to the way we were."
Full highlights from that game below:
Video: OTT Recap: Paul tallies twice in Sens' 5-2 road loss
Where to watch
It's a 7 p.m. start in Pittsburgh and here's how you can catch all the action between the Sens and Penguins...
BROADCAST: TSN5, RDS2
RADIO: TSN 1200, 94,5 Unique FM
Need the perfect place to catch tonight's game? Then why not grab some friends and head over to The Prescott where they'll be serving up personal pitchers of Molson Canadian for just $9.25 (plus tax) all game long.
To find out where our next watch party will be and specials you can enjoy, visit the full schedule click here.